Parents, May The Workforce Be With You

Contributed by Elaine Landau

As I write, I will note any interruptions. The estimated time of outlining and then writing this article is 2-3 hours. Begin:

Can someone have it all? I suppose there is somebody out there who has a fabulously successful career, is raising 2.5 perfect children, keeps his/her house clean at all times, and volunteers for every charity in the phone book. I’m not that person. I’m not sure I even want to be that person. There’s something sort-of Stepford about all that. I already have too much pressure. Don’t ask me to be perfect.

Note: Just as I finished that thought, I heard a large thud overhead, then silence. That means something is broken and nobody is telling Mom or somebody is hurt. Push the Save button and go upstairs.

Upstairs, I found our dog trying to stand up on the newly waxed hardwood floor. Poor guy couldn’t get his footing. Now he has his belly on the cool floor and is drooling profusely. I put a houseplant under his jowls to catch the drool. Back to writing.

I believe you can have it all, as long as all doesn’t mean everything. I’m not advocating settling for less or underachieving. I’m suggesting that your goals and objectives should be defined so you can be both a great parent and an excellent worker.

Note: I hear water running through the wall next to me. I yell to see if anyone is around to check on it. Nobody answers. Back to writing.

Family or Work? Who Wins?
Note: That water isn’t stopping. Is something overflowing? I yell louder to see if anyone is home. Another loud thud overhead. Well, I woke up the dog. I’ll go upstairs, check on the dog, and see where the water is coming from.

I’m back. The dog is fine and I jiggled the toilet handle. Back to work!

When family time is sacrificed for work time, nobody wins. Sure, bringing home the bacon is paramount in this economy, but children have a way of growing up overnight.

Note: The phone is ringing. I’ll let the machine answer it. I try to type but I’m trying to hear who is leaving the message. It’s the sitter canceling for Saturday. Nuts. Back to work.

A promotion means more money, but it may also mean more education.
I applaud adults who wish to improve their chances for promotion or wish to change careers to better their lives. That choice, however, may require more training and education. Many people attend colleges or tech schools at night or on weekends so they can continue making a living during the day. Unfortunately, those are the same hours that families gather, eat meals, play games, do homework and basically live together. Should one be sacrificed for the other?

Online Education is the Answer to a Lot of Prayers.
Your computer can be your best friend when time is tight. Afraid of your computer? No problem. Beginner computer help is available online along with advanced PowerPoint tutorials, advanced tutorials for Word, advanced Excel tutorials – basically tutorials that can help you become proficient in many programs. The Internet is a wonderful resource for information, courses, and contacts. If you feel shaky using the Internet, basic Internet training is also available. For someone with a full schedule, it’s great to know you can log on whenever your schedule permits.

Note: The front door just slammed and one of the kids is skateboarding down the front hall. I just waxed that floor too! I save my copy and run.

Well, a major skateboard incident was avoided, but skateboarding is not allowed in the house. So, I sent my son upstairs, away from the television, and away from me so I could work. Back to writing.

Choices are not easy. When soccer games are scheduled at the same time as management retreats, the choice is daunting and very personal. Maybe you should avoid the all-or-nothing approach to commitments. Perhaps you can see that last half of the soccer match if you opt out of attending the meet-and-greet prior to the keynote speaker. If you haven’t had dinner with your spouse and kids lately because of impossible deadlines, invite them to the office for a picnic dinner. You are then sending the message “I want to be with you” instead of “I want to be with you but work is more important.”

Note: As I typed those words, I realized that I welcomed my son with harsh words. He deserved to be chastised, but I didn’t even ask him how he was. I just sent him upstairs so I could get back to writing. I need another break.

The Next Day, Back to Work.
This article should have taken just a few hours to write. It’s now the following day. I took time to breathe yesterday. When I went upstairs to check on my son, I found him carrying our dog from one carpet runner to the other so the dog wouldn’t slip anymore on the hardwood floors. What a great kid. What a great dog. I’m ditching the floor wax.

One final thought.

Perfection is a goal, not a lifestyle.

With all your best efforts, your balancing act may need some fine-tuning. Keep your eye on your priorities and your important goals will be reached.

I have to go now. I think my kids have set something on fire.

About the Author:
Elaine Landau is a freelance writer, publicist, web site editor, and television writer with more than 15 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and publicity.