Work-life Balance

[cubiczirconia]

Considering many of you are engaged in multiple responsibilities everyday like parenting/ work schedules/ personal time/sometimes elderly care/hobbies/ nascent businesses - have you found your work-life balance?

I think I might have found a comfort zone, but this is no fine balance yet. Every time I think I have it figured and under control, something comes up- without fail.

If I may say so- working mothers have the worst of the world- fellow 'mothers' think she is less of a mother for not showing up thirty minutes before pick-up and discussing Harvard bound plans with other mothers. Fellow workers think her 'mothering' interferes with work, and think work will be a second priority (doesn't apply to me anymore but there were moments in the past where my baby-mom status cost a few opportunities).

Your thoughts? I know many of you are juggling multiple businesses/ are working couples with young children. How are you managing everything? Where does the Zen moment of the day come from?

CZ

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Hey.... working fathers have it tough too.

We're still trying to figure this out... the part we dislike the most is that our kids are in after school care and while that is social interaction... it would be nice to use that time for them to do their homework with us and then the evening can be more laid back with dinner and a neighborhood stroll. Right now, what/where we eat is defined by how much homework they have.

My Zen moment of the day? Weekend mornings on the basketball court... I play early so that I can be back in time for breakfast with the family.

 

[cubiczirconia]

Hey.... working fathers have it tough too.

Yes. But strangers don't judge you.

Thanks for responding IHO. Our dinners are the same too, completely defined by homework and tests/ projects/ extra-curricular activities. We make it a point to eat together though. Absolute chaos define weekdays I pick them up after school, but then I am always trying to work from home trying to get a head start on things..

 

[irvinerealtor]

Yes. But strangers don't judge you.

I'm not so sure about that...

When dad walks the kids to school once: what a great gesture.
When dad walks the kids to school the second day: uh-oh, the family must be having employment/financial issues.
When dad walks the kids ot school for the third day: fuggetaboutit.

There will always be someone out there trying to judge. Don't let them define you. Be comfortable in what you do and confident that you're doing the best you can for the right reasons, in exactly the right time.

-IR2

 

[cubiczirconia]

There will always be someone out there trying to judge. Don't let them define you. Be comfortable in what you do and confident that you're doing the best you can for the right reasons, in exactly the right time.

-IR2

Thanks IR- guess I needed this pep talk today

 

[homer_simpson]

So far so good... when the baby comes.... 

 

[cubiczirconia]

So far so good... when the baby comes.... 

For now focus on making it to full term - it will all be OK, we all survived, you will too
And Dragon mother will take the year off anyway. (?)

 

[socal78]

Right now, what/where we eat is defined by how much homework they have.

Do you have a slow cooker? I recommend one with a programmable timer. People think of slow cookers as only good for making soups and stews. Not true. It is capable of so much more. Enchiladas, stuffed baked apples, perfect for baked potatoes, meatloaf, the filling for fajitas. Dinner can be ready and waiting for you. Act Now!

 

[homer_simpson]

So far so good... when the baby comes.... 

For now focus on making it to full term - it will all be OK, we all survived, you will too
And Dragon mother will take the year off anyway will be a stay at home mom for a while.

Fixed 

 

[socal78]

I'm so happy for you, Homer. I think it's great she and the baby will be together. 

 

[cubiczirconia]

So far so good... when the baby comes.... 

For now focus on making it to full term - it will all be OK, we all survived, you will too
And Dragon mother will take the year off anyway will be a stay at home mom for a while.

Fixed 

If she has a professional degree, good luck with that

 

[homer_simpson]

So far so good... when the baby comes.... 

For now focus on making it to full term - it will all be OK, we all survived, you will too
And Dragon mother will take the year off anyway will be a stay at home mom for a while.

Fixed 

If she has a professional degree, good luck with that

Yeah she does... The Mrs. and I went back and forth with this topic for a while now.  I think she'll stay home with the newborn for a year or so and go back to practicing afterwards.  Maybe I can be a house husband!!  Real House Husband of the OC!!!!!

 

[cubiczirconia]

So far so good... when the baby comes.... 

For now focus on making it to full term - it will all be OK, we all survived, you will too
And Dragon mother will take the year off anyway will be a stay at home mom for a while.

Fixed 

If she has a professional degree, good luck with that

Yeah she does... The Mrs. and I went back and forth with this topic for a while now.  I think she'll stay home with the newborn for a year or so and go back to practicing at her own office.  Maybe I can be a house husband!!  Real House Husband of the OC!!!!!

good luck to both of you.