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Single Moms Balancing Work and Play at Home

The Art of Five-Minute Parenting

By Katerie Prior

When you do take time out of work to play, keep distractions to a minimum. When Watson sits down to play, she turns off the TV, the computer and asks visitors to come later. It even means not keeping a notebook handy for jotting down ideas. "We just play," she says. "It is a special time and I try to always ensure that we have it."

Another distraction can be thinking about work while you play. "When a little boy plays with blocks, he doesn't think what he's supposed to do today or didn't do yesterday," Shelton says. "He just plays blocks. That's his focus and that's what makes the blocks so much fun. When you play with your children, take a cue from them and focus on playing and having fun."

Because so much is riding on both their family and career, single parents know they need to be realistic about their limitations when they balance playtime with work. While it's difficult, Watson feels it's well worth it. "Dedicate time to your kids. Get out of the house and do stuff that is not going to allow you to sneak in work," she says. "Kids need the time to know they are important to you."

Want to see more?

• Working Single: How These Moms Cope With Minimal Help