How to Balance Parenting and Work in the Digital Age
ChicExecs VP of Public Relations and Digital Media, Kristen Wessel, shares four tips to help you balance parenting with working in the digital age on Forbes blog.
“Like it or not, were living in a have it all culture,” she explains. “You’re expected to not only crush your goals at work, but to be the perfect parent, spouse and friend.”
That sounds nice in our heads, but in practice, we just can’t have it all. Were overworked, stressed and constantly feeling like were failing.
While there’s no cure-all for our fast-paced digital lives, Ive found that we have to set boundaries between work and home life to preserve our sense of sanity. After all, if you’re answering emails while reading Liam a bedtime story, what does that show him?
Kids are very observant. While you might think nothing of shooting off a quick email on your iPhone, your kids might feel ignored. It also sets a dangerous precedent for work-life balance. If you want your kiddos to have a healthy sense of balance, it has to start with you.
The thing is, were more accessible than ever before. Work never stops, and that means its hard to strike a balance between your family life and work. Sure, smartphones are great, but they can make you feel like you never have a real break from work.
Balance is hard to achieve, but when you follow these four tips, you may start seeing improved clarity at work and better quality time with your family:
1. Set Boundaries. Boundaries set a firm line between your work life and your home life.
2. Have ˜No Phone Time. Do you really need to take work with you?
3. Work Smarter. You’re a parent, so you already have the toughest job in the world. You have to get smart about how you manage your time and workload.
4. Take Breaks. Parents are busy and on the go, but the thing is, working yourself to death is counterproductive.
Read Kristen Wessel’s full Forbes blog on how you can balance work and family life in the digital age.
