Family Living


Work-Life Balance: Making Family The Priority

Family Living | October 6, 2014
mom and dad play with baby
Work Life Balance

A sustainable work-life balance can be a challenge in any circumstance. Parents strive to juggle full-time jobs with full-time parenting. Add to the mix fitness goals, creative work, self-care, time with friends, and it may soon seem like there are not enough hours in the day to complete everything we want to do. As CEO of Yahoo! Marissa Meyer said, “Find your rhythm. You can’t have everything you want, but you can have the things that really matter to you.” When it comes to balance, prioritization is the best way to choose the things that matter most and make sure they’re a big part of your life. To help you prioritize family time, here are a few ideas.

1. Establish Family Rituals and Routines

Many families fall into routines and habits handed down to them over the generations, but it can be a great practice to intentionally consider the daily activities your family engages in. If physical fitness is important for your family, do you have time set aside to play outside each day? If you want to cultivate tidying and responsibility, are you providing positive reinforcement and fun around household tasks? Do you want to help your child build a gratitude habit? A daily gratefulness check-in can help everyone focus on the positive in their lives. Take a page from Harry Potter and create house colors, a mascot, and maybe even a family cheer or theme song. Think of your family as a team working together, and you’ll see that intentional encouragement and fun can help you grow closer than ever.

2. Create Healthy Boundaries Around Screen Time

This one applies to both children and adults. Since social media and algorithms were built to keep us scrolling, it can be difficult for any of us to step away from the screen and focus our attention on what really matters. If you find yourself unconsciously picking up your phone or opening your laptop, a mindfulness reminder can help you consciously decide how you want to spend your time. Try a lock screen message or a band around your phone to keep your use intentional. Set up screen time limits on your smartphone and review just how much time you spend on a specific app. 

Research shows that simply gathering data about a habit can change it for the better. Take a warm, nonjudgmental approach to your technology use and see what you discover. For young children, try to keep screen time within the boundaries set by the American Academy of Pediatricians. For ages two to five, doctors suggest keeping screen time to less than one hour a day on weekdays and less than three hours a day on weekend days. More exposure to screens correlated with 24-month-olds and 36-month-olds showing poorer performance on behavioral, cognitive, and social screening tests, so boundary setting can have real benefits. Whenever possible, view media with your child and turn off any auto-play features. Screen time isn’t inherently negative and using it intentionally can benefit both you and your children.

3. Go On Family Outings

Families spend so much unplanned time together that it can be challenging to plan even more intentional activities together. Yet, the net effect of planning specific outings can be increased closeness, a sense of adventure, and building great memories together. When considering family activities, try not to put additional pressure on yourself to choose the “perfect” family date. Even low-key activities like games, puzzles, cooking together, or watching a favorite show can provide real moments of connection with your family members. As your children grow older, include them in the planning process. When they come up with an activity they’d like to try, do your best to encourage their creativity. While putting together a LEGO set might not be your idea of fun, it could be so meaningful to the little engineer in your family. 

4. Consider Childcare If You Work From Home

Having your child attend a childcare program a few days a week or full-time care can give you the space you need to perform your work duties and be an attentive parent. Quality childcare programs provide children with the opportunity for socialization, academic readiness, planned activities, and warm relationships with other caring adults in the community. You don’t have to do it alone — high-quality childcare can help you maintain balance in your life.  

The Gardner School Can Help You Create Balance

As a parent, juggling everything that needs to be done is a challenge. Thankfully, The Gardner School is here to help you find more time in your day by providing you with exceptional childcare for your family. We’re a trusted partner with parents, offering academically-focused and curriculum-based learning with a careful balance of play. Our programs are designed to encourage an emerging sense of self while nurturing intellectual growth, exploration, and socialization in a safe, supportive environment for children 6 weeks to 5 years. To understand why parents choose The Gardner School for their young children to grow and learn, contact us to learn more or to schedule a tour.

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