{"id":8278,"date":"2019-07-11T23:18:50","date_gmt":"2019-07-12T03:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/?p=8278"},"modified":"2023-08-24T14:42:24","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T04:42:24","slug":"shift-working-single-parent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/shift-working-single-parent\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Survival Tips for Single Shift Working Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, but this is at no additional cost to you. Please read our disclosure<\/strong><\/a> and <\/em>privacy statement<\/strong><\/em><\/a> for more info.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you a superhero, single working parent, juggling raising a family AND managing a busy shift work roster? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I watch you in awe and have nothing but respect for the loving and supportive life you’re trying to maintain for your child\/children. I want to make your situation easier by sharing some golden gems of advice I have learned, observed and read about and truly make a difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can I be a shift worker and a single parent? Prioritizing your own health first allows you to build and maintain a safe, loving and supportive environment for your children. Then it comes down to leaning on your social network of family and friends. Cost permitting, live-in nannies and even 24-hour daycare could help to find routine and balance. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I am not a single mom, I am a shift working blogger and thought it was absolutely essential to provide a helpful guide for single shift working parents on our site. I am not going to pretend I know what it’s like because I can’t. So instead I asked a bunch of my single parent shift working friends, watched endless videos and read hours upon hours of help forums online to develop the best tips I could. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I am off the mark at all, please correct me, but I hope the information provided is accurate and above all incredibly helpful. The shift work industry is growing and I’m seeing more single parents<\/a> trying to make ends meet, surviving on less than 3 hours sleep daily. This shouldn’t be your reality anymore… <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Look After Your Own Health as a Single Parent <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is the most important point that seemed to surface throughout my research, but generally only <\/em>after it’s been forgotten about. Even though you’re doing everything you possibly can for your child\/children, you need to look out for yourself too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t, you\u2019ll soon run out of steam and have nothing else to give to your child, which can often result in feelings of guilt and resentment about the situation you’re in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you’re thinking “I just don’t have enough time for me,”<\/em> here are 5 areas you should at least prioritize moving forward to stop burning the candle at both ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 – Sleep as Much as You Can, When You Can<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I often hear single shift working parents say, “I’m surviving, but I’m not living” <\/em>and sleep has A LOT to do with this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it’s easier said than done, try and sleep where and whenever possible. Such as before you drive home from a night shift, while the kids are asleep, at school, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prioritize sleep instead of the housework, jobs, watching TV and playing video games even if you do have to close your eyes to your messy home from time to time. The dishes will still be there once you wake up<\/em>…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a task is urgent, like taking the kids to school, this is a must. But turning on another episode of Game of Thrones can wait. I think you get the idea.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a positive mindset to actually falling asleep and don’t be afraid to use sleep aids to make sleeping more achievable – <\/strong>when it needs to happen on demand.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These<\/a> are our favorite sleep aids I highly recommend you check out. Most are at a reasonable price and make a huge difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We talk A LOT about sleep here and we want you to at least strive for 7-9 hours consistently, even if you’re currently getting a lot less than this.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a couple of posts we wrote to get you thinking more positively about sleep.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n