Explore how to balance being an admissions counselor with travel or a high school counselor with evening activities and being in a romantic relationship or an involved parent. As more demands are put on us in our jobs, how do we juggle things in our personal lives? This session will give tips on how to be a great professional and still maintain a healthy romantic relationship and be a great parent.
D31 “I Hate your Job!” — How to Balance a Busy Job and still be a Great Partner and Parent
1. “I Hate your Job!”-How to balance a Busy Job
and still be a great Parent and Partner
By
Nick Sanders, Office of Admissions at
Eastern Illinois University
Kelly Brooks, Office of Admissions at
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
2. Introduction
Here is my lovely wife Sparkle and I spending time
with her away from the office. She is smiling, happy,
and just enjoying life!
3. This is the look on her face when I am not spending
time! She is upset, frustrated and is asking “Is your
job more important than me?”
4. Balancing your job and being a partner
• According to a survey conducted in the New American Foundation paper titled
“The Stress of Work and the Family: The Impact on Parent and Child Health and
the need for flexibility” found that 66 percent of men and women would like to
work more hours than they would like but have to due to pressure from their
employers
• CNN conducted a survey in 2006, and found that the following information:
33 percent of people check in with the office while on vacation
44 percent of mothers report bringing work home at least once a week
36 percent of fathers bring work home at least once a week
• According to a poll conducted by MSNBC, 81 percent of Americans said they
“were unhappy with their work life/balance”.
• According to Attitudes in the American Workplace survey conducted in 2004, 63
percent of workers state the job pressures interferes with their personal lives.
5. The effects on a relationship without
proper balance
Cheating on one Constant Arguing Insecurities Lack of
another understanding and
compassion
Communication Bad Sex Life Paranoia Unable to make
Issues decisions as a
couple
Financial Difficulties Lack of progression Constant Breakups Divorce
in relationship
6. Ways to help the balance between
relationship and work
1. A text message early in the morning
2. A phone call throughout the day
3. Make one night out of the week date night
4. Participate in activities that you would not normally would like to
5. Do not take work home
6. Make a rule about discussing work at home
7. As best as possible, eliminate time-wasting activities i.e. X-Box,
Playstation, hanging out at the bar all night, talking to parent/siblings for
excessive periods of time, etc.
8. Surprise Gifts
9. Schedule a weekend getaway during the fall or at the end of the fall (non
work-related)