Professional career and childrens' homework
5 striking conclusions !
1. Only 38% of the respondents say that their company is aware of the problem and has integrated it in their human resources policies.
Click to see some parents' comments
“I searched for another employer who did not have an issue with flexible work/working at home.”
“My company expects us to be available on evenings as well. The founders don't have kids and the other employees' kids are over 20.
“I am a Human Resources Manager and am very flexible with colleagues who have children at school. My own boss is also very flexible with me and knows that after the kids' exams period I am back with 200% motivation (to be honest, even in the exam period I perform more than enough). But I do notice that some of my colleagues stare at me when I am leaving early. This makes me uncomfortable...”
“I am a part time parent (divorced) so I have the children 1 week out of 2... I work full time but in the weeks when I have the kids I finish work half an hour earlier (this is allowed by my employer, without me needing to compensate).”
2. A good organization seems to be the key to a right balance> People are trying to plan ahead as much as possible so as to not become overwhelmed by the amount of work.
Click to see some parents' comments
“On Sunday evening we take the time to plan the week ahead so the kids know at the start of the week when I will be available to help them with their homework/study. Establish together with the kids if and when some of their leisure activities will have to be canceled/delayed during this week because of their study.”
“A timed and planned day, from early in the morning to late in the evening!”
3. Nearly half of the respondents (46%) are unhappy about their work – parent balance. For many parents it would be impossible to have a balance between work and home without external help.
Click to see some parents' comments
“I spend part of my monthly salary on external help for tasks that I can delegate. This allows me to have an interesting job and at the same time to take care of the kids during the ‘nice moments’.”
“I organize my household tasks in a way that allows me to be available on evenings where my kids need to study a subject I could help them with. If I don't have enough time I rely on organizations such as EDUCADOMO. They are specialized people.”
“To play this double role you really need a good organization and a lot of courage! I have raised 4 children while working full time and with a husband who worked abroad and was therefore absent a lot. Without the help of any family. The only help I got came from a fantastic student who took care of the children on Wednesday's afternoons: the homework was completed, the ironing was done and once in a while she even had some time left to help with house chores. These evenings allowed me to be completely ‘Zen’...”
4. For a majority of the respondents (54%) it is crucial to have a good organization with their social network. Parents especially organize their diaries in function of the children. But grandparents also play an important role in a large amount of the families.
Click to see some parents' comments
“During the exams period my partner and myself make the necessary arrangements to take each a day or half a day off work to be with the children when they study.”
“Organization with two people: Daddy takes care of the kids in the morning (getting them up, dressed, breakfast, etc...) while Mummy went to work already. In the evening we do the opposite.”
“We count on the grandparents, on a well organized study at school and on study rehearsals during the weekends.”
5. Only 4 out of 10 (45%) confirm that the children show an understanding for thie situation and organize accordingly. Only 44% say that their children can study independently.
Click to see some parents' comments
“I try to teach my child his responsibilities but the school's framework is not very helpful (in terms of study, of individualized help when any problem,...)”
“My 12 year old daughter starts homework when I get home and requests my help. She is not capable yet to work independently and needs my help, especially during the exam period”.
