BALANCING FAMILY AND WORK

Shirley A. Mietlicki
District Specialist, Communities, Families and Youth
Cooperative Extension
University of Massachusetts

Copyright/Access Information

YOU WILL LEARN:

- the importance of setting goals in balancing family and work.

- methods for managing your time and your household by setting goals and making plans.

TIME LOG

Time is one of our most valuable resources. How did you spend the last 24 hours? Complete a time log the following information on it to find out.

DATE

START TIME

FINISH TIME

TOTAL HOURS

ACTIVITY

GOALS

Goals are things you want to achieve. Goals are more likely to be met if they are written down. Try the following activity.

1. List 3 or 4 of your lifetime dreams, your long-term goals.

2. List 3 or 4 things you want to accomplish within one year.

3. Complete the sentence, "If I knew I'd die within 6 months, I would..."

4. From steps 1, 2, and 3 above pick your top three goals.

YOU AND YOUR DECISIONS - TEN THINGS YOU LOVE TO DO

Quickly write down ten things you love to do. Code these ten things as follows:

1. Place a $ sign by each thing that costs more than $5 each time you do it.

2. Place the letter P next to each activity that you prefer doing with people. Write the letter A next to each activity that you prefer doing alone.

3. Finally, go through your list and write the date on which you last did the activity.

Now, ask yourself if you did any of the things you love in the last 24 hours?

Why or why not? If you didn't do any of the things you love, you may want to come up with a plan.

THE 4 D'S OF TIME MANAGEMENT

Use the 4 D's of time management to improve your use of time.

DO IT:

- Make a "to do" list.

- Rank the things that need to be done first.

- Break big tasks into smaller ones.

- Do big tasks when you have the most energy.

DOVETAIL IT:

- Do two things at once, such as folding laundry while watching TV.

DELEGATE IT:

- Unimportant or easier tasks can be given to other people (such as children, spouse, or mate).

- Don't expect everything to be done perfectly.

DELAY IT:

- If it's not important, hold off doing it.

MANAGING A HOUSEHOLD: WORKING WITH FAMILY MEMBERS

Families with good communication work well together. Do your children help with work in your home? How do you explain to them what to do?

____Tell or show them.

____Leave notes.

____Work with them.

____Make a list.

Do children understand your directions? Do you let them make some of the decisions? Do you praise them whey they do a good job?

CONSIDER TIMING

For each job, consider the following questions.

1. How long does it take to do the job?

2. When is there the most confusion and pressure?

3. What happens if the job doesn't get done?

4. Is there a time the job must be done?

5. Can the job be broken into smaller tasks?

6. Can something be done in the evening to make the next day go smoother?

7. What has to be done in the morning to make the day go easier?

ORGANIZE YOUR HOUSEHOLD

Do you have a regular place for:

• keys?
• glasses?
• dirty laundry?
• clean laundry?
• household bills?
• pencil and paper for phone messages?
• messages (for example, the refrigerator)?
• a large calendar for scheduling activities, appointments, etc.?

DEVELOP A ROUTINE

Do you have certain times during the day or week that you do regular jobs? Do you have a general idea of what to prepare for meals? Develop a pattern of work that fits you. Next to each job below write when you will do that job.

• Playing with children.
• Cooking.
• Doing the laundry.
• Shopping.
• Cleaning.
• Other.