ADVICE RATING |
  4.39 (Worth a try) from 19 votes (273 Visits) |
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Balancing Family and Work |
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by Girraween  (October 2006) (rank 90th) |
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The ideal world would have one parent aways available to be there with and for the child. However no one lives in an ideal world and most families need two incomes to function.
My husband and I are no different to any other but due to his inflexible work
(the military) and having three daughters I decided to enter retail for the first time in my life. I can work evenings and weekends allowing my children to always have one parent available.
That was our choice but each choice is different for each family.
Balance though is something that is very imporant to find for everyone and not always an easy task. Household chores still need to get done and time together is still extremely important. We have a calendar where everyone marks schedules and important functions. This shows us what days are available to do something together that is fun for the whole family. On the days where one parent is working the children earn stickers on a chart for helping with the chores. They are responsible for keeping their rooms tidy, for feeding the cat and (as they enjoy vauuming) they vacuum under supervision. This always everyone to feel as if we are living in a nice clean home and the chores don't fall on to the shoulders of one person. My husband cooks dinner during the evenings I work and helps with the homework and reading assignments I am not there for. It really is a team of people pulling together and isn't that what family should be.
On a weekend where everyone is availble we do something fun and often something new. The weekend just past we took the girls horseback riding but we have also gone away for the weekend or taken a picnic in the Gorge or made a day of it at the beach or Mt St Helens. Why have two incomes if we can't sometimes squirrel some away for memory making?
Always reassure the child though that although Mummy and Daddy need to work they are the most important people. I always tell mine that I would much rather spend the time with them than go to work and daddy tells them exactly the same thing. But we make time when we have to to demonstrate just that ... puzzles are left on a special puzzle table near the fireplace and it is something that the family works on to finish. We may work as a team at times or individually but the end result is a family one and the girls enjoy it. Game nights are also another family hit. On a night where I am not working we pick a board game, turn off the TV and play. We have movie nights and we talk a lot. The girls share what they did with Dad over the weekend if I had to work and Daddy takes a lot of photos and vidoe footage so I don't miss a thing.
Hugs and kisses are and should be given out in spades. And never leave for work with hugging each child and reminding them you love them.
Balance is important but with communication, love and teamwork it shouldn't be impossible to find.
