Solo parenting while working is a balancing act that often feels impossible to get right.

Some days, I feel like I’m holding it all together—armed with to-do lists, multi-tasking like a pro, using every minute available, constantly on the go. And then there are the other days. The ones where the feelings of failure creep in, where it feels like I’m not doing anything particularly well.

Not long ago, on one of the first properly warm evenings of the year, I was trying to get my daughter to tell me about her school trip to the beach. I wasn’t getting much back—standard! Then, out of the blue, she looked up at me with those wide eyes and said, “Mummy, can we go to the beach so I can show you what we did?”

It was such a simple, beautiful request. The sun was shining, the beach was nearby, and I really did want to say yes. I wanted to spend time together and hear about her day. But instead of joy, I felt a wave of panic and overwhelm. My chest tightened. I had so much to do—emails to answer, work to finish, the house was a mess, and the ever-growing mental list of everything I hadn’t yet done was on my mind.

Still, I said yes. I didn’t want to miss out on that lovely opportunity.

So we went to the beach

My daughter told me all about the trip, showed me where they’d gone and what they did, we really got to talk. I smiled and nodded and tried to relax and enjoy myself, but I wasn’t fully there. I was mentally running through my to do list, worrying how I was going to get my daughter to bed in time to start running my course in the evening, and beating myself up for not being more present. The guilt hit me from both sides: guilt that I’d said yes but was struggling to be fully present and guilt that I wasn’t doing all the other things that needed my attention. I ended up staying up until 11pm that night finishing off work – way past my usual bedtime – and woke up the next day exhausted.

This is the reality of the juggle. And it’s why I’ve had to learn—sometimes the hard way—how to manage my time, my energy, and my expectations in a way that works for me and my daughter.

3 Tips for Managing the Juggle of Solo Parenting and Work

1. Decide Our Priorities
We simply can’t do everything—and yet so often, as solo parents, we try to. We strive to prove we can manage it all. But the truth is, we can’t—and we’re not supposed to. When we’re clear on what matters most, we can focus our time and energy there. That might mean the house stays messy, or an email gets answered tomorrow instead of today. Sometimes, “good enough” really is enough.

2. Allocate ‘Present Time’
We don’t have to give hours and hours of undivided attention to our children every day. Short, intentional moments of being truly present can make a big difference. Setting aside even 15 minutes where we put our phone away and give our child our full attention—no distractions, no multitasking—can create real connection and help ease the guilt. We can give ourselves permission to turn off during that time, knowing we’re giving them something meaningful.

3. Build our support network
We might not have a co-parent to share the load, but that doesn’t mean we have to do it all alone. Support can come in many forms: a friend who does a school run, a neighbour who mows our lawn whilst they are doing theirs, a family member who steps in when we need a break. For some of us, it might mean budgeting for a virtual assistant or food delivery service. Or it could be setting up a quiet hour for screen time so we can catch up on admin. Every little bit helps—and yes, some of these options depend on finances. That doesn’t mean we can’t get creative about what support looks like for us.

If you’re in the thick of it right now—juggling work, solo parenting, and everything in between—please know this: you’re not alone. And I’m sure you’re doing better than you think.