Inner peace as a basis for work and relationships
Balance doesn't start in the diary. It starts inside - in the head and body. When we are under pressure, concentration, communication and relationships suffer. Fatigue doesn't make us bad parents, but it takes away the energy we have nowhere to draw from.
If you feel lost, don't be afraid to turn to the experts.
Good Dad offers workshops and one-on-one consultations for men seeking confidence in their parenting and partnering roles. Kind Place is a therapeutic centre for children and parents - a guide through normal and challenging times with a kind and professional approach.
Borders are not walls, but bridges
When we say "boundaries", it can sound harsh. But in reality, they're soft, flexible and life-saving. Boundaries are not about limiting others, but about respecting ourselves and relationships. When we set them clearly, a safe space is created between us. And that's priceless at home and at work.
What do boundaries bring?
- Give children certainty - show them that the world has structure. That they can rely on us. Firmly, but lovingly.
- For partners, they give space - we all have different paces, needs and capacities. Well-set boundaries protect mutual respect.
- They set boundaries for work - so that we are not available 24/7, not dealing with emails in the bathtub and have the courage to say "not today".
How to create them?
In family:
- Say "no" calmly but clearly - "I need a moment to myself right now."
- Establish family rules - for example, no cell phones at meals. Rules made together are easier to follow.
- Talk about your needs - "I need quiet now."
In a relationship:
- Talk about your limits before you hit them - "I need a night to myself."
- Don't compare tiredness - everyone experiences stress differently.
- Schedule time away from each other too - relationships grow through moments when everyone can just be with themselves.
At work:
- Set an end time and stick to it.
- Don't be afraid to delegate or say "not now" - you're protecting your energy.
- Define your capacity and priorities: "I can do this task tomorrow, I'm already full today."
- Block out time for deep work and family.
- Having a shared team calendar helps prevent clashes and increases mutual respect.
Research shows that parents who consciously set boundaries are less irritable, and children see this model as a natural basis for empathy and respect.
If you feel like your week is falling apart, try a nursery or daycare with a personalised approach, such as Elánek or the Honzík Family Centre. Conscious time with your children is then all the more fulfilling.
Flexibility is not chaos. It's structure according to you
Flexible working hours or a home office can be a blessing - or a curse. Structure is the key. Once you know when and how you work, you can better protect time for family and yourself.
How to set it up?
- Plan a week ahead - workplace, meetings, time with the kids.
- Establish "off zones" - perhaps Friday afternoons with no online communication.
- Consider the needs of others, but don't let them make decisions for you.
Presence is more than just time
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be difficult to stop. The small moments when we are truly together in the here and now form the basis of closeness and trust. Children don't need perfect parents. They need parents who are there when it matters.
- Young children seek our closeness. It's not about the program, it's about touch, laughter and simple attention.
- Schoolchildren crave "just for them" time. Twenty minutes a day without a cell phone, doing only what they enjoy, can have more impact than a full day on a field trip.
- Teenagers especially need to know that we are available. Cooking together without the pressure of conversation often gives them more space to open up than direct questions.
Daily rituals that keep the family together
Small things, repeatedly and consciously. These are often the most precious moments.
- Golden 10 minutes a day - with just one child, without interruption.
- Meals together - even a quick lunch without screens can be a fixture of the day.
- Technological pockets - like dinners without cell phones.
- Morning five-minute - "What are you looking forward to today?"
- Spontaneous moments - ice cream after school, a blanket in the garden, a trip with no destination.
- Rituals - Friday pizza or weekend breakfast give rhythm and certainty to the week.
Did you know that... according to Harvard University research... years later, children most often remember how they spent time with their parents, not how much? Presence trumps quantity.
IQlandia, Aqualand Moravia, Peklo Čertovina or Jump Family will provide a quality programme for free days.
Think of yourself too
Time to yourself is not selfish. It is a necessity. Quality time with family can only come from having something to give. A rested parent is more present and kinder. The children will know it.
- Micro-moments like five minutes of silence with coffee, a quick walk, or locking the bathroom door with a podcast are a mainstay of mental hygiene.
- Give yourself some extended time to yourself - whether it's with friends, a book, or maybe a pottery class.
If you're just thinking about having a family...
We are not all at the same point. If family is a question of the future for you, you may appreciate preparing for what's to come.
Courses from Aperio or Andrea Běhalová help parents prepare for the first months with a child - respecting their own pace and relationships.
Balance doesn't come about on its own. It is a daily choice, sometimes a daily struggle. But it is in that daily search that the most important thing happens: we are together, we are real, and we are trying. 💜
