Working Parent Tips: Creating Quality Time After Nursery

Meet Katy, a mother of two and member of our fantastic Parent Panel*; a diverse community of Bright Horizons parents sharing their experiences of raising happy, thriving and confident children. In this blog, Katy shares her experiences of navigating a busy career while being a parent to a little one at nursery.

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Balancing a career with parenting is a daily act of juggling priorities, emotions and energy levels, so the hours after nursery are a precious window to spend time with your little ones. I am lucky enough to have compressed hours, which allows me to have one day mid-week to fit in some activities. However, this also means that my working days are longer, and the window of time after nursery is even shorter.

Dealing with mum guilt

Working parents often feel the guilt of having little time in the week (I know I do), and that mum guilt can be overwhelming, but it's not about grand gestures in that time to make it up to them - it's just about being present and having connection.

It isn't easy, nor is being a stay-at-home parent. But I do think being a working parent teaches both me and the children about resilience, time management, and independence, which allows them to adapt to new environments with ease. It is always going to be an emotional tug of war of guilt, tiredness, and feeling stretched, but this is also combined with pride, joy and an appreciation for the time we do spend together.

Our evening routine

After a long day at work and nursery, both my children and I are tired, so we're not always looking for high-energy activities. Just putting my phone away, even for 30 minutes of undivided attention before bedtime, to ask about their day at nursery whilst having that much-needed cuddle, builds that connection.

I am a huge fan of routine, too. It's not for everyone, but from day one, I have always ensured we have one. It helps me manage my day, feel less stressed, and ensures we can make the most of our time together. As I get home late, dinner and bathtime have already been covered, so this is what our routine looks like:

7pm: Arrive home (love the run to the door, greeting from tiny feet), quick cuddle, and catch up on the sofa

7:15pm: Playtime

7:45pm: Toothbrushing and story time

8pm: Cuddle and bedtime

Now bedtime can seem quite late, but we had to shift this back; otherwise, I wouldn't get any of that much-needed quality time. Plus, story time is my favourite. Timings don't need to be rigid, but I find that it does allow for the time to flow and me to make the most of it.

We continue the quality time into the morning by sitting down to breakfast together, tickles when getting dressed, and engaging the children in nursery bag packing. We also love to have a sing-along in the car on the way to nursery, as well. Current favourite is Wheels on the Bus!

Top tips for quality time together

I also like to incorporate cooking together when I can. This is a favourite of mine, and my daughter loves putting on her apron and chef hat, and just allowing them to stir, pour, or taste what you are making is so much fun.

Turning everyday boring chores into fun games like helping to fold the washing, matching the socks, etc, is great, too. Not every moment will go calmly, and we all have bad days, but consistency over time, rather than perfection, allows me to enjoy the moments.

Another useful time-saving tip I have found is creating lists. I love a list but also prepping things the night before, like laying clothes out, shoes by the door, snacks ready and don't forget to ask for help if you need and have it available.

It really is a balancing act, and we are all in the same boat, but remember to celebrate the small wins, appreciate the moments, and keep showing up. That's ultimately what a child wants, and it really is more than enough. The time we spend with our little ones is not about quantity - it's about quality. We don't need to be perfect!

If you enjoyed this blog, you can check out more of our early childcare resources in our Family Resource Zone!

And, if you're not yet a Bright Horizons parent, but are interested in what our nurseries can offer your child on their exciting educational journey, book a personal tour at your local nursery today!