There is always potential for a childcare emergency for a working parent, whether you get the dreaded call from the school nurse or daycare letting you know your child has a fever or from your caregiver to let you know that she has an emergency. Without backup childcare options or, in some cases, a coparent or significant other to help, it’s not only a stressful situation. It can have real repercussions.
Working Parents, Do You Have a Plan for Childcare Emergencies?
There’s no avoiding them entirely, but preparation can help ease the burden.
August 03, 2021
HBR Staff/Kamal Iklil/
Getty Images/Angela Waye/Stocksy
Summary.
For working parents, childcare emergencies can throw entire days or weeks into chaos. But such emergencies aren’t just stressful. They can make productivity a challenge, and too many of those unexpected hiccups at work could create red flags, making you appear unreliable or leading to lost opportunities for professional growth.
But there are ways you can both plan for and respond to childcare emergencies. First, understand your time on a weekly and daily basis, so when emergencies come up, you will know what your work priorities are. Next, ask your manager, colleagues, and clients for what you need to accommodate your situation. Once you’re home, be flexible about how and when you work, and think outside the box in how you can keep your children occupied while you focus on work. Finally, build a community of people you can lean on and ask for help.