Trying to balance work and family time can be difficult, we get it. Now more than ever, we are always on the go, finding less and less time to spend with our families. Still, it is important to be able to step away from the computer and cell phone and really engage and enjoy time with the kids and family. After all, isn’t that why we’re really working so hard all the time? Being a working father in 2018 has its ups and downs; in honor of Father’s Day 2018, we’re breaking down what being a working father in 2018 is really about.
Balance and Composure
When a working father walks in the door after a long day at work, the kids are really looking forward to quality time with the phone nowhere in sight. Now more than ever, the responsibilities of parenting fall on both parents as gender stereotypes become less pervasive, so being present around the kids out of the office should mean that both parents are available. Fathers these days try to balance work and home life by really leaving work in the office, being completely present and in the moment at home.
Prioritize and Communicate
Working parents can understandably find it tough to find a work-life balance. When at work, it’s important to prioritize work and when at home, focus on family. Prioritizing and communicating effectively is an important part of that process. Taking more time out of the day for planning isn’t everyone’s forte, but it can help eliminate stress when it comes to shared duties like picking up & dropping off the kids at soccer practice.
Money and Success
As we all know, money is not everything. Although it can be comforting and what keeps a roof over the heads of loved ones, most fathers agree that their children are more important than how much money they make. A stereotype that is still at the back of many men’s minds is that they have to be the breadwinner. The result is that fathers overwork themselves to be able to provide for their families and feel successful. In reality, being a supportive husband and father in 2018 is more rewarding than getting a competitive promotion in the long run—when the kids look back on their childhood, chances are they are going to remember and cherish the times their father was present. Sometimes, something as simple as playing with the kids outside and teaching them something new can feel more rewarding than working overtime.
An easy way to cut down your time spent outside of the house is by working close to home. Consider checking out one of Barrister Executive Suites office locations to be your future workspace.