Balancing work and family – Problem or solution?

Author: Sanoj Jose

Author: Sanoj Jose

Like so many of the challenges and dilemmas of marriage, balancing family and work has no easy solution-no one-size-fits-all approach. Every person and couple will have their own preferences and needs. It helps to think of our responsibilities as glass balls and rubber balls. Family and work responsibilities are like glass balls while many of our other responsibilities are more like rubber balls. A juggler would never want to drop a glass ball because it would surely break. But he would know that its not a disaster to drop a rubber ball. Rubber balls wont break, and he can put one back into rotation after hes had time to get everything moving again. For example, making after-school snacks for your childrens friends or doing the dishes are rubber balls. They can be dropped for a day or two as you juggle your glass balls. As deadlines for an important work project approaches glass balls -- you might pass some of the balls on to the next juggler instead of holding onto all of them yourself. Perhaps some emails rubber balls -- could wait a little longer than usual before you respond to them. Lets look at what could be done: Dont be a perfectionist. Its okay if the house goes longer than you think it should without cleaning or the stove doesnt get cleaned once a week. Save your energy for family activities. Organize division of labor with your partner so that you each cover those tasks that are easiest and most enjoyable for you. Place pictures of your family in your workspace, whether its on your desk, on the dashboard of your truck, or on a cubicle wall. Always be professional at work. Arrive at work early; leave work on a strict schedule. Block out work when at home or confine it to strictly scheduled times. Minimize weekend work. Be prepared for family emergencies that call you away from work. Train subordinates to cover responsibilities when you are away from work. During breaks, call home to talk to your spouse and children. If youre out of town on a business trip, stay in close touch with your family. Call and talk to everyone at once on the speaker phone. Talk to a different child individually each night youre gone. Have your children fax homework and pictures to your hotel. Send postcards. Make a list of dont want to do items that are aversive, waste your time, sap your energy. Engage your partner in regular short-term planning: Briefly review activities and arrangements for the coming week every Sunday evening. Briefly review activities for the next day every evening. Clark (2002) found that individual who communicate with work associates about family and with their family about work are Read more on this article at http://sanojjose79.blogspot.com/2010/01/balancing-work-and-family-problem-or.htmlAbout the Author:

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