Are you constantly at it full-speed trying to be productive at work, spend quality time with your family and make progress at the gym? Quite a set of challenges, right? Often, it’s just not possible to accomplish everything every day. Something’s got to give.
So, how do you make it work? The preconceived notions of what a dad looks like simply doesn’t fly any more. Dads are doing double duty. Like many moms, dads come home and work a “second shift”. This is largely because so many families are dual-earning families, sharing the work that goes with running a family. However, dads are still, according to research, the sole or primary providers for 85% of dual parent households. No pressure!
Although today’s dad has tripled the time he spends caring for his kids (and does twice the housework compared to dads of a generation ago), over 80% aspire to fully share parenting with their partners, but only 30% report that they do. Turns out that workplace and corporate cultures have not kept up with these changes. Employers still expect men to be “all in” for work even when they are sharing care at home.
Truth is, it’s not easy, and the perfect work-life balance probably doesn’t exist. The main thing is figuring out what’s important to you and what works for your family.
When dads are able to succeed at work and be involved at home, families benefit. Research shows that kids with dads who are involved in their lives from the start have better health, better grades, higher rates of graduation, as well as lower rates of incarceration and teen pregnancy.
So, Dad, how do you empower this journey? Remember, you are not doomed as a dad because your schedule is squeezed. It often seems like an impossible tug-of-war, but it doesn’t have to be!
Work-life balance is more of an ongoing goal than a target or a destination. Success lies in constantly trying. If you care and do your best, you will, indeed, succeed at work and at home.
Source: www.parent.co, hbr.org, books.google.co.za, www.huffingtonpost.com, www.livestrong.com, time.com, www.allprodad.com, www.smartparents.sg, www.aha-now.com, www.buzzfeed.com, www.thespruce.com, healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au, www.parents.com, www.success.com, www.fatherhood.org, parentsatwork.com.au
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.