We all wish we could spend every moment of every day with our families, but there’s always work to be done. Everyone feels a little too busy now and then, and it sometimes feels difficult to be able to handle everything. In truth, it’s possible to be just as present at home as you are at work. There’s no reason you can’t attend every important soccer game and still get that promotion you’ve been working so hard for. You truly can have it all if you know how to ask.
Work Stays at Work
If you’re really dedicated to your projects at work, it can feel tempting to bring them home with you. There’s nothing wrong with having a strong work ethic – it’s something you need to succeed. That having been said, you probably shouldn’t worry about work when you’re spending time with your children. The office will always be there tomorrow, and you can’t bring your kids to work with you. You need the time to clear your mind and focus on other things that you enjoy.
Check in Throughout the Day
Call home on your breaks. If your children are with your spouse or a caregiver, ask how things are going. You’ll be able to take a small moment to share what’s going in everyone’s day. You’ll know if your daughter aced that important math test or if your son’s art project won a ribbon, and that little pick-me-up will make the day brighter for everyone. Five minutes here or there counts for a lot, and it adds up over time. You’ll always feel connected.
Keep a Family Calendar
Plan vacations, birthdays, holidays, and other special events in the lives of your family on a special calendar. Submit those dates to your workplace at the beginning of the year and secure those days off. Other things are bound to come up along the way – all you need to do is keep the HR department updated. By requesting these days off as far in advance as possible, you’re more likely to get them. It won’t be a struggle to find someone to cover you when you have something going on that you just can’t miss.
Talk To Your Boss About Flexible Scheduling
You might be able to do some of the things you do around the office from home. If you get done early, you might be able to leave an hour before it would ordinarily be time to punch the clock. You can work in your comfortable clothes in your comfortable home, creating the perfect win-win situation. You can take your family out for burgers during your lunch break, and still keep up with your office to-do list. If you don’t already have a full-time position, keep scheduling in mind when you’re browsing through Gumtree.
Take Care of You
You deserve to take care of yourself. You can’t be your best self at work and your best self for your family if you’re not giving yourself the attention you deserve. Set aside a little bit of time for yourself each week, no matter what’s going on. It will keep you from feeling burned out and allow you to reinvigorate all of your passions. If you have a hobby or a favorite way to pamper yourself, you don’t need to forget about that. Spend a couple of hours a week doing something that feels completely worth waiting for. You work hard as a parent and as a professional – you’re entitled to it!
It might require a little extra work on your part, but in the end, it’s all worth it. If your family is the most important thing in the world to you, it’s hardly worth a second thought to push your priorities around to help everyone feel the most fulfilled.
