Over the years, how mothers and fathers spend their time has changed. Fathers are nowadays doing extensive housework and more child care while moms are being paid to work outside. As such, how adults spend time with their children has changed drastically. However, a new study has shown that the percentage of working fathers and mothers who feel stressed when juggling work and family has increased. 56% of the assessed working mums and about 5% of the working dads said that they find it difficult to balance the responsibilities of work and family (Pew Research Center’s Social " Demographic Trends Project, 2013). Additionally, others attitudes towards professional responsibilities have shifted. Martin (2014) explains that this factor may be as a result of the changing economic times. Hence, women in the most difficult financial situations have been found to be the most likely to consider working full time if the job benefits are ideal to them. How can parents balance between work and family? First, they can create and organize a family calendar to increase more quality time with their family. Secondly, they can determine ways to stay connected to their children during the day.
Creating an organized family calendar goes a long way in ensuring that family priorities are set right. Such a calendar can include dates for particular social activities, chores for the children’s school activities and family events such as birthdays and other extra curricula activities. Martin, (2014) explains that creating a schedule and spending at least one hour a day updating and organizing it helps parents keep tabs on what’s going on with their families. Hence, they are able to eliminate surprises and disappointments that can occur as a result of forgetfulness. Furthermore, having a family calendar allows a both fathers and mothers to communicate with their employer in regards to how they can create flexibility at work. Martin (2014) suggests that parents should join organizations that are flexible with time and can allow them to spend time with their children.
Technology has made it easier for people to stay in touch throughout the day. Hence, staying in touch with your children even when not together has been found effective in establishing parent-child connection. In his journal, de Vaus (2009) suggests that parents with younger children should record their voices and allow them to be played for the children by the nannies. For older children, one should often call them and find out what’s going on with their life and if possible provide guidance on activities they may be participating in. Furthermore, parents can create time during morning hours before leaving for work to bond with their children (de Vaus, 2009). For instance, they can prepare them for school and help them with their school work.
Conclusion
Spending time with your family ensures that you provide guidance and support that is fundamental for the growth of children. Therefore, it is necessary for parents to identify family as a priority while engaging in their professional endeavors. It is important to establish ways that one can spend time with their family while still executing their professional responsibilities. Thus, parents should organize themselves by determining modern techniques that effectively provide solutions to the imbalance between family and work. Creating a family calendar ensures that a family bond is created. Furthermore, adults should avoid talking about work or distractions brought about by technology such as phones during family time. Instead, one should focus on their children’s interests such as friends, school work and hobbies. Finally, with older children one should try more to meet their needs rather than just telling them what to do.
References
de Vaus, D. (2009). Balancing family work and paid work: Gender- based equality in the new democratic family. Journal Of Family Studies, 15(2), 118-121. doi: 10.1080/13229400.2009.11004018
Martin, J. (2014). A Canadian province highlights work/family issues: The Saskatchewan Balancing Work and Family Initiative - process, outcomes, limitations. Community, Work " Family, 4(1), 109-120. doi: 10.1080/136688000200039175
Modern Parenthood, Roles of Moms and Dads Converge as They Balance Work and Famil. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/03/14/modern-parenthood-roles-of-moms-and-dads-converge-as-they-balance-work-and-family/
