Balancing work and family

Balancing the responsibilities of work and family is not easy. 

Balance can seem downright impossible when working parents are pulled in a thousand directions and playing multiple roles. 

For working mothers, it’s often harder. While gender roles in the workplace continue to fade in favor of skill and ability, when it comes to domestic duties, women still shoulder more household responsibilities. 

A 2008 U.S. Department of Labor report say that on an average day, 83 percent of women spend time doing household activities, as opposed to 66 percent of men, and 61 percent of caregivers are women.

Lack of balance may cause women to make sacrifices in their careers and can have an adverse impact on their finances. 

Women earn less money during their careers, not only because they are often paid less for the same jobs, but because they do not spend as much time in the workforce. 

Women work an average of 12 years less than men over their lifetimes due to time taken for care giving responsibilities. 

This imbalance can hurt women’s present income and negatively impact their long-term retirement finances.

The following are some suggested ways working mothers can strike a balance between work and family, to help achieve a better lifestyle, while spending more time in the workforce.

Flextime arrangements

Take advantage of employer programs that offer flexibility. As the number of two-income households in America has increased, so have flextime arrangements, such as telecommuting or working earlier or later shifts. 

Employers now recognize the value in flexible work arrangements. Flexibility leads to happier more productive employees, because it helps to ease the dual pressure of work and family. 

Flexible working arrangements allow parents to handle the family responsibilities that may arise during traditional work hours, while also remaining productive and meeting their work obligations. 

For women and men, this may mean spending fewer hours away from work while also taking care of their families.

Delegate responsibilities

Ask for help and delegate responsibilities. You may not be able to find the time to do everything you want and need to do, but that doesn’t mean you can accomplish your goals. 

If you are in a position to do the work, do it. If you have a team of people, ask your team members to take on additional responsibilities and delegate deliverables instead of staying late or bringing work home to meet these obligations all by yourself. This will give your team members more opportunities and you more time. 

At home, hire someone to do the housecleaning or the yard work. If you are in a relationship, split care giving duties with your spouse or partner. It doesn’t have to be 50-50, but the split should be one that helps both of you achieve the balance you are seeking. 

Don’t be afraid to take “the village approach” to child rearing. Reaching out to retired or stay-at-home family members and friends can provide needed support and assistance.

Set boundaries

It’s easy for boundaries to blur, especially when you are trying to do it all. At work, family obligations may distract you from the things you need to do at the office. At home, you may physically be present, but if you are checking you e-mail while helping you kids with homework or while you are supposed to be watching them play soccer, you aren’t really there. 

Discuss expectations and responsibilities with your boss, spouse and children. Your boss will better understand what you need for work-life effectiveness and balance, and your family will better understand your work obligations.

When the work week is over, many working parents institute an e-mail and voice mail blackout, creating time to be fully available for and attentive to their children and their spouse. 

Taking this time to refuel as a family will remind you of your priorities. If you keep work at work and home at home, you will be more present and more productive in both aspects of you life.

These are just a few suggestions. There are many other ways women can work toward achieving a work-life balance. The first step is making the decision to do so. With greater balance, you will be more focused and productive at work, which may help lead to advancement and greater pay, which in turn can help you achieve financial security for you and your family.

This article is provided by Stacie Nishimura. She may be reached at 241-7701 or at stacie.nishimura@axa-advisors.com.