It’s that time of year again! The backpacks are ready, the pencils are sharpened, and the family calendar is filling up quickly. But for many working parents, getting everyone settled into a manageable back-to-school routine can be easier said than done. 

In fact, a recent Pew Research Center survey found that 70% of full-time working parents say they handle parenting-related tasks while they’re working, and 59% say they tackle work-related tasks when they’re with their children. More than half (54%) say balancing work and family responsibilities is difficult.

For real estate professionals, that balancing act can be especially challenging. Showings may happen after school, client calls can come in during family activities, and weekends—which are prime time for real estate—may also be filled with sports, birthday parties, and other family commitments.

The good news? The flexibility that comes with a real estate career can also work in your favor. The trick is learning to use that flexibility intentionally, and the start of a new school year is a great time to do just that. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started. 

Before the school year gets too busy, sit down with your family and put everything you already know about on one shared calendar—practices, games, appointments, holiday travel, school vacations, etc.
 
Next, add in your current work commitments. Seeing everything in one place can help you spot potential conflicts and give you a clearer picture of where you have flexibility.

Make it a habit to check the calendar weekly and adjust things as needed. New appointments, school activities, and client needs will inevitably pop up, so taking a few minutes to check in each week can help you stay on top of everything. 

As you look at the calendar, make note of the personal commitments you absolutely don’t want to miss. Maybe it’s your child’s Saturday morning soccer game, a Thursday night band concert, or an afternoon holiday party. 

Mark those commitments as a priority and look for opportunities to schedule your business around them, if possible. For example, if you know you’ll be at gymnastics Saturday morning, be sure to schedule an open house for later in the day.

Remember, you may not be able to make every game, activity, or event. Instead, focus on making room for the moments that matter most to you and your family.

Real estate isn’t your typical 9-to-5, which can make it difficult to know when the workday begins and ends. Rather than letting your schedule be dictated entirely by client needs and whatever happens to come, consider establishing some general working hours. 

Maybe mornings are reserved for emails and administrative work, afternoons are more flexible for appointments, and evenings are reserved for family when possible. You may also find that certain days work better for appointments based on your children’s schedules.

Of course, we know that real estate requires flexibility. A client may need to see a home outside your usual hours, or an important transaction may require your attention at an unexpected time. The goal isn’t to stick to a rigid schedule. It’s to create a structure that helps you stay focused during work hours and makes it easier to “clock out.” 

Trying to handle every showing and client call along with every school pickup and sports practice can quickly become overwhelming. For busy working parents, having a solid backup plan can make a big difference.

On the personal front, talk with a spouse, grandparent, friend, or babysitter who can occasionally help with a morning drop-off or afternoon carpool. On the business side, develop a trusted network of professionals—such as a business partner, coworker, administrative assistant, etc.—you can lean on when last-minute family commitments come up.

Having someone to call when plans suddenly change can help you focus your attention where it’s needed most. You may not need help often, but you’ll be glad to have it when you do!

You don’t have to be available 24/7 to provide excellent service. You just need to set reasonable expectations with your clients. For instance, if you like to have dinner and family time from 6 to 8 p.m., let clients know that you’ll respond to non-urgent messages later in the evening or the following morning.

If you’re in the middle of a time-sensitive matter and will be out of pocket for a couple of hours, send your client a quick text to let them know when you’ll be available again. 

Most clients appreciate knowing what to expect, and clear communication can make it easier to step away from work without feeling like you need to constantly check your phone.

Perhaps the most important part of getting back into the school year routine is recognizing that things won’t always go according to plan—and that’s OK!

There will be weeks when a transaction requires more attention. There will be days when you’re rushing to make an important school event. There will be evenings when dinner comes from a drive-thru because you had three showings followed by a basketball game. That’s just all part of balancing a successful career with a busy family life.

Rather than striving for a perfectly balanced schedule, focus on building a sustainable rhythm. Give yourself some grace, make adjustments when you need to, and remember that you don’t have to do it all perfectly to do it well!