There are quite a few things that keep busy parents awake at night, and running a venture only adds to the stress. As a mother trying to build something or a father wanting to provide, it can become a challenge when your own mind is against you.
However, stress mostly comes from knowing there’s an issue and not taking action. Well, you can take action by addressing problems such as finances and even your past to secure a brighter future for the family..
Fear of the Unknown
It’s only normal to fear what you don’t know is coming, even when you are relatively informed. For instance, you may have consulted with the best local legal services about upcoming business problems. Even then, you don’t know the outcome of proceedings, and this can be a massive source of stress. Not knowing how a new business venture will turn out is also a common one, especially when you are spending time away from the family to get it running.
Finances Keep Busy Parents Awake
A survey by UNICEF conducted in the UK found that 90% of parents worry about money. This is only normal as adequate funds directly dictate a large portion of quality of life, which most parents want to be excellent for their children. However, there are some things that will help:
- Begin a budget that lists all income against all expenses so you know what you have.
- Work out how much you can save after setting aside funds for essential purchases.
- Work with creditors on debt plans and pay off as much as you can as quickly as you can.
Failing as a Parent
There are some parents who are born to be mothers and fathers, and there are those who doubt themselves. However, most parents would agree they have donuts because of the enormity of rearing a child. When you throw in running a business or working long hours, the concerns over failing as a parent can become overwhelming. Not being involved enough, or failing to support the children through challenges, are common worries that good parents have.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Modern parents are well aware of the dangers of the world. However, more than just a few years ago, there were many more things that modern moms and dads had to worry about. Because you can’t be there as a busy parent, the worries can become concerning when you have to work a lot and can’t be there all the time. However, you can find time off work to explain the dangers of online issues, social media peer pressure, and feelings of childhood anxiety.
Future Worries Keep Busy Parents Awake
Another UNICEF survey found that 87% of parents of young children are worried about issues such as mental health, childcare costs, and the future they can provide. When setting your child up for a bright future, there are some things that can become a concern, but can be well-guided.
Social and emotional development
Most parents would probably agree that social acceptance is a concern. As a parent in business, you may not be there to guide your children as much as you actually want to.
Relationships with the children
Being a busy parent means long work hours are mandatory. As such, it can be challenging to forge relationships with the kids, especially when they are very young and exploring the world.
Education and academic success
Parents play a critical role in education at home. Children who do well at school often do so because of homework help and parental encouragement that you may not be able to provide.
The Work-Life Balance
The big one that most busy and working parents worry about is the work-life balance. Work-life balance can be challenging when you have a demanding job or run your own business. Finding time between the two doesn’t come easy, and often, family life takes a backseat. However, juggling the demands of both can lead to burnout and even guilt. When this happens, you can lose sleep, and a worry cycle can begin to spiral. If needed, take a break and spend family time.
Being Emotionally Available
Children are emotional animals, and it can be exhausting to be emotionally available for young children all the time. You can worry that you won’t be able to provide the emotional support they need, usually because yours are managed alongside the expectations of your career. However, familial responsibilities are always there and never go away. When you aren’t emotionally available, it can cause anxiety and pressure because you understand that’s what the kids need.
Past Experiences Keep Busy Parents Awake
A Hestia survey found that 47% of UK millennial parents experienced or witnessed domestic abuse as a child. This can leave generational trauma and lead to parents doing the same. Many parents worry they will treat their children the same, but you can learn to break the cycle:
- Acknowledge that there could be a problem and identify causes and triggers.
- Educate yourself about how you feel, past experiences, and mental conditions.
- Find support wherever you can, such as your partner, online, or from a doctor.
Perception and Judgment as a Parent
With modern pressures and our lives being so open due to social media, parental pressure is a massive challenge these days. Most parents work to present themselves as perfect for all the world to see. But guess what? You still have privacy, and you don’t have to share everything with the world. Parents make mistakes, have bad days, and get tired like everyone else, so do what you can as well as you can and don’t worry about the perception of you as a parent.
Summary
Fear of the unknown is a common one and one of the biggest worries that keeps busy parents awake at night. This can be legal issues, money worries, or career challenges. However, worrying about the future of the kids is also pretty common with busy parents who can’t be available 24/7. With modern social media and pressure to perform, how others perceive you as a parent is also a common stressor that causes emotional issues for busy moms and dads.