Working in construction is demanding. It often means early starts, physical work, irregular hours—and for many of you, raising children at the same time. But many Project JumpStart alumni manage to do both. With planning, supports, and realistic expectations, it can be done. Below are reflections, strategies, and resources to help you thrive as both a construction worker and a parent in Baltimore.
Why This Matters
- High wages, but high demands: One of the strengths of Project JumpStart is getting graduates into high-wage construction careers. Project JumpStart But the demands don’t disappear when your life demands change, e.g. when you become a parent.
- Barriers to stability: Childcare, health, time management, and scheduling become more of a juggling act when you’ve got kids. Without supports, these can derail even the most promising career paths.
- Long-term benefits: If you can manage both, the rewards are big: financial stability, benefits, growing your skills, modeling a strong work ethic for your children, etc.
Common Challenges Parents Face in Construction
| Challenge | Why It’s Hard in Construction | Potential Consequences |
| Irregular / Long Hours | Projects might require overtime, early mornings, weekend work. Travel to job sites. | Missed childcare, fatigue, stress at home. |
| Physical Demands | Lifting, exposure to weather, etc., can be harder when managing pregnancy, small children. | Health risks; needing leave or slower pace; impact on earnings. |
| Childcare Accessibility | Finding reliable, affordable care (especially for non-standard hours) in Baltimore can be difficult. | Gaps in care can lead to missed work, lost income. |
| Time for Family & Rest | Without consistent rest or downtime, burnout is high. | Lower job performance; strain on family relationships; higher turnover. |
| Financial Strain | Even with good pay, childcare, medical costs, etc. can eat into margins. | Debt; loss of job continuity if forced to quit or reduce hours. |
Strategies that Help
Here are things you can do, based on what others have found useful in Baltimore and similar contexts.
- Plan ahead for childcare
- Identify childcare providers near your worksite (or who can provide drop-off/pick-up).
- Explore nontraditional childcare: before/after school programs, evening care, shared caregiving with family members.
- Check if your employer offers any onsite care, subsidies, or flexible scheduling.
- Communicate with your employer
- Talk with your supervisor about your situation (childcare, medical needs, etc.). Sometimes they can adjust schedules or shift assignments.
- Request flexibility where possible (e.g. starting early or late, compressed hours).
- Know your rights: family leave, medical leave, worker protections.
- Leverage your support network
- Use family, friends, or fellow parents in the JumpStart alumni network to share resources or help with childcare.
- Consider building a co-op with other parents: rotating childcare, shared pickups, etc.
- Stay organized and protect rest
- Use calendars, alarms, routines. Managing job requirements plus kids needs putting systems in place.
- Prioritize rest: sleeping well helps prevent injuries on job sites.
- Take advantage of any wellness programs offered by your employer or linked with JumpStart.
- Financial planning
- Budget for childcare, medical, emergencies. Set up savings if you can.
- Make sure you understand benefits your job offers: health insurance, paid leave, etc.
- Explore state or city programs that may help offset costs.
- Use Project JumpStart alumni resources & peers
- Stay connected with JumpStart Alumni for advice, referrals, mutual support.
- Share experiences: what’s working, what isn’t; you might learn tricks you didn’t know.
- Mentorship: both giving and receiving can help navigate the trade and family balance.
Baltimore-Area Resources You Should Know
Here are specifically local or state resources you can tap into:
- Project JumpStart itself: their training, placement, and alumni networks are designed to help people get into stable work and grow in construction. Project JumpStart
- Maryland’s Workforce Development / MD Department of Human Services: offers programs including free job training, support services, and possibly help for parents facing employment barriers. Maryland Department of Human Services
- STEP Up program in Baltimore: Helps noncustodial parents, among other groups, with job training and support related to employment. Maryland Department of Human Services
Baltimore City & County Childcare Resource Centers: these vary by area, but checking city-run, nonprofit, or faith-based centers can often yield more affordable options.
Real Stories: What Alumni Say
Here are common stories / tips shared by alumni (paraphrased or collected from community discussions):
- One parent arranged with a coworker to cover a shift once a week when the childcare center was closed, in exchange for covering theirs another week.
- Another used Project JumpStart’s financial coaching to plan for child care costs and set aside emergency funds.
- Some alumni split child-care tasks with partners or family, even when that meant changing shifts or accepting different roles just to ensure there is always someone to care for the kids.
- A number say that having a stable schedule is the most helpful: knowing your hours in advance allows arranging childcare, planning household tasks, etc.
What Employers & Policymakers Can Do to Help (and How You Can Advocate)
While you can do a lot yourself, some systemic support is needed. Alumni can help push for changes:
- Advocate for flexible scheduling or “shift swaps” without penalty
- Push employers to offer childcare subsidies or partner with daycare centers
- Encourage policies like paid parental leave, lactation support, and health care benefits
- Support state and local funding for childcare support programs, especially for construction and trade workers with nonstandard hours
Tips for Self-Care & Mindset
- Accept that some days will be tougher than others. Be kind to yourself.
- Look for wins, even small ones (you showed up, you finished the job site, you got home in good shape).
- Share responsibilities at home: communicating with your family, partner, or support network about what you need.
- Keep in mind: investing in rest and health helps you do better at work and be more present for your children.
Wrapping Up
Raising kids while working in construction isn’t easy — but for many JumpStart alumni, it’s possible, rewarding, and worth the effort. Leveraging the training, supports, and community you have, plus planning and advocacy, you can build a path not just of job stability, but of family stability too.