Making Work and Family Life Manageable

I love to work and my husband thinks I’m nuts because he clearly has no problem not working.  And as sure as I am that the sun will shine tomorrow, I am equally sure that if I didn’t have my business as an outlet, I would be in first place to win the competitive parenting race and would be making my husband miserable with an unrivaled honey do list.  So for my personal satisfaction and the sanity and well being of my family, I choose to work.   

Along with this decision comes a constant struggle to balance it all.  I am by no means an expert, but after 20 some years of work experience either in a corporate environment or for myself I have developed a few strategies to make it all work.  Here are my strategies:

Establish a work schedule and stick to it

When work related emergencies come up (and they will) have a good back up plan

Communicate with your spouse everyday about work and family related responsibilities and conflicts

Hire a great nanny or daycare provider

Ease your guilt by having at least one parent attend every school function/event

Plan and schedule early

Try and be as mobile and flexible as possible with your work

Clear your mind at the end of every day with a well thought out end of work day checklist

Don’t sweat the small stuff or try and keep up with parents who do

What are your strategies?