Whether it’s doing the school run before dashing to the office, or trying to nurture friendships while still being fully present at home, most of us feel the demands of trying to spin numerous plates. Luckily, working on a magazine like Red means picking up lots of tips for managing it all, from psychology insights to practical essentials like having a reliable, roomy family car.
Here, some of our editors share their insider secrets for maintaining a good work-life balance.
Carve out quality time
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‘Research suggests there are nine minutes in every child’s day when we have the greatest influence on them: the three when they wake up, the three straight after nursery/school, and the three before they go to bed. I have three children (aged seven, five and two), so while I can’t commit to these exact times for each one, I do try to carve out important minutes every day when I’m fully engaged with them. It could be five minutes in the car on the way to a swimming lesson, or a quick ice-cream break after school on days I’m working from home. I know it has a positive impact on them (my youngest is more clingy when we don’t manage it) but it also has a massive impact on me because if I feel connected and in the loop with my children, I can be more focused at work, and therefore less overwhelmed with life.’
Megan Conner, Features Director
Embrace convenience
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‘I’ve learnt that leaning into convenience in busy periods or stress-inducing scenarios is worth every extra penny – whether it’s declaring a takeaway night, or jumping in the car instead of tackling the tube with a toddler, pram and the inevitable overflow of bags. In fact, for me, driving is simply always the preferable way to get from A to B with my daughter in tow. And as it’s the only time she gets to watch TV, it’s valuable to us both: she’s thrilled for some quality time with Peppa, and I get to chat to my husband without interruption, or just enjoy the peace and quiet (notwithstanding the sounds of pig snorts and giggles coming from the back seat).’
Isabel Frederix, Commercial Director
Let the car take the strain
The right family car can make all the difference – from enough space to transport everything you need, to an entertainment system that keeps the troops entertained. The Renault Scenic E-Tech 100% Electric* – 2024’s Car of the Year – ticks all the boxes: a roomy 545-litre boot space; cutting-edge multimedia system with Google** Built-in; impressive up-to 379-mile driving range; optimised route calculation with Google; and a spacious cabin to keep everyone comfortable. Plus, it looks sleek and stylish.
Renault
Get organised
‘Going back to work full-time after maternity leave has definitely had its challenges; I think all working parents will recognise the guilt you can feel – both at home and work on occasion. Trying to be as organised as possible when it comes to preparing for the week ahead is crucial for me (although best-laid plans and two-year-olds don’t always work in harmony). Whether that’s meal planning on the weekend or outfit prepping in the evening to help alleviate some of that first-thing stress.’
Francesca Rice, Multiplatform Editor
Set boundaries (and keep to them)
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‘Since returning to work after having my daughter, I’ve made a conscious effort to keep ‘work’ within work hours. In a past life, I’d stay late without blinking an eye, check emails all evening and even pick up extra work at the weekend during busy periods, but now I’m strict about logging off on time. And it’s actually increased my productivity – I’ve never been so good at prioritising. It’s made me realise how much time I spent procrastinating in the office previously, and allows me to be much more involved (and fun!) with my family when I’m not on the clock.’
Eleanor Jones, Commercial Editor
QUAD Productions
The Renault Scenic E-Tech 100% Electric is revolutionising the family car, from its cutting-edge tech features to clever additions like the Solarbay sunroof, complete with four voice-controlled opacity settings. Find out more about how this car can make family life easier.
*model shown is Scenic iconic long range with up to 369 miles (379 miles based on Scenic techno long range). WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.
**Google, Google Maps and Google Play are trademarks of Google LLC
