Balancing Work with Family - Tips and

StrategiesSarah Bond, Portland

Introduction Attorney Sarah Bond practices at Zimmer, Bond, Fay & Overlund

LLC in Portland, Oregon. On a personal level, Sarah Bond of Portland pursues an interest in optimizing the delicate balance between work and family.

For the busy working parent, it can be difficult to find time to succeed in both areas of life. Success depends on the ability to carefully plan one's time in advance, particularly when it comes to preparing in the evening for the next day. Working parents often find that preparing breakfast, packing lunches, and choosing clothes in the evening can make the morning seem less rushed. Similarly, planning meals and preparing ingredients on a weekend or other free day can mean more available time during the week.

A family calendar can help with planning as well, particularly if it allows the family to split the workload at home. 

Balancing Work with Family

A calendar may also allow the working parent to schedule in even a small amount of self-care, which can be crucial to peace of mind in the home.

While this level of preparation can make a parent's life calmer, flexibility also plays a crucial role. Parents need to be able to determine where the greatest needs are in any given moment, and to allocate their attention accordingly. This can help to provide a sense of balance, while potentially alleviating some of the guilt that can arise surrounding unmet needs.

Finally, all working parents must remember that their time and attention is limited. If it seems that the balance is off, an honest look at the family timetable can reveal whether finances and other factors support a potential shift in hours allocation.