Balancing Work and Family
If you haven’t noticed, my posts on this blog have been much less frequent lately. Part of that is because this blog isn’t a real money-maker for me…I have other niche sites that bring in steady cash so when push comes to shove they always come first.
But part of it is because I’ve been devoting more time to my family. Balancing work and family is always a challenge. If you’re not careful the scales start tipping too much in one direction or the other.
For me, I noticed I was spending too much time working and my family life was starting to suffer. My kids missed play-time with daddy while I was too busy on the computer.
It’s an easy trap to fall into. What internet marketer hasn’t pushed his family away so he can work on his “big project”. And its all too easy to justify that attitude with the notion that “I’m doing it all for them.”
If you find yourself saying that you need to take a closer look at yourself. Because while you’re working away to make more money to buy your family “things” …they’re missing you.
Last night I planned to get some work done after dinner, but I ended up saying “screw work” and cuddling on the couch with my girls watching Enchanted. And they were happy as hell just sitting next to me and talking about what was happening in the movie.
It reminded me of a valuable lesson…Its not how many things you can afford to give them. Its how much of YOU you give them.
I couldn’t agree more with this post. Having 2 pre-teen boys who play sports (which I coach), I spend a fair amount of time on the field. I have to be really careful as I tend to count that as “quality” time. Unfortunately, the kids don’t. To them, they are sharing me with however many other players are participating in practices or games. As such, I have to differentiate between those times and real one on one quality time. As I’m planning out my day/night for my IM work, I have to take that into consideration. Otherwise, the kids get pushed aside for work.
Interestingly enough, I’ve also used the “it’s all for them” justification line to my self when opting to work instead of spending time with them. It really is a balancing act.
I think you’re absolutely right in this. Setting priorities and not neglecting other aspects of our life is vital to keeping a balance. It’s very easy to not only spend to long working but also to waste too much time on emails etc.
I just came across the Zen Habits blog which has some fantastic information on getting rid of the clutter in your life and giving priority to the essentials.
Related to this post i can only say this:
There was a litlle family dad, mom, a the kid. Unfortunately dad couldnt be always near the rest of the familly and litlle by litlle the hours which he stayed away from the familly started to be more and more. Soon he started to work at home also, but the kid wanted to play with his daddy, but dad explained to him that he is an import man to the comany and he is paid very well on each hour he worked, and insted of plaing with the kid he was satisfy to give him 10 dollars each time he askedhim for that. In one day the kid came t his daddy and ask him how much is he paid per hour. Because dad didnt understood why kid was asking this thing he told him the true of how much he was earning per hour. After this episode in another day the kid came to his dad and give him the money for one hour of work and also telling him that is buying one hour to play with him.
And now Mike i think that life is too short to be spent working, personally i choose to stay with my childrens as soon as i have the oportunity but don t forgot the oportunity may be trigger almost anytime.
Its always good to prioritize and spend time with the family. Family should come first before anything.
Just found you through Leo’s site, your testimonial in fact.
You got it in a nutshell, too often these days parents do not spend “time” with their children and consequently do not realise that it is often much more rewarding than working.
Hubtonomy´s last blog ..How To Determine If A Niche Is Profitable
@Hubtonomy, thanks for stopping by. You’re right…being in the same room as your kids isn’t the same as spending time with them. You need to actually play with them on their level…color, do a puzzle, play a board game, etc.
With me being a single guy I don’t have the family problem as such but I do have a large group of friends and this can definitely have a negative impact on my work if I let it. All too often I have not put enough time into projects because I would rather go for a meal and socialise with some friends, I guess it all comes down to finding a balance that works for every aspect of your life.
I am really lucky.I am working with my family so balancing is easy for me I think but I really agree with you because our first target should be our families.For example me,What can I do with big money without my son and wife.I can not think a life without them.
WOW! Someone just stepped all on my poor little toes! This is so true, I found myself saying my long hours and devotion to work for myself was for my kids and “family”, but find myself neglecting them; spending less and less time with the kids! This needs to be said over and over again because that’s an age old mistake that we all realize much later, sometimes too much later!
Taripre$
Taripre$´s last blog ..WORK AT HOME, ONLINE, AN ONLINE JOB, AS A "FREELANCER"
Very very true. I too have to step back every now and then from my work, because as wel all know, it can consume you. IM is fun and can get addicting quickly, but like you said, sometimes it’s the little moments in your life that are the most special.
Family always comes first. That is nothing original, but fully truth. I’ve been there, working too much, spending less time with my family and there is a lot to be broken at home so… I would recommend everyone not to forget about the closest ones!