Balancing Act - Work and Children

Shortly after setting up my business, almost twenty years ago, I was very excited to attend a conference for business women (in itself a rare event in those days), as one of the keynote speakers was Anne Dickson, whose book A Woman in your Own Right I had just finished reading.

Anne certainly lived up to expectations, but what I had not in my naivety expected was to hear so many business women, on and off stage, exhorting the urgent need for quality child care.

I believe we have come a long way since the days of restricted workplace crèche facilities, willing parents, and child minders. Indeed, my own later experience of using a day nursery was very positive; there was some, although not total flexibility, to accommodate irregular weekly work patterns, and best of all a pick up from school service, which even stretched to a later run if children were attending after school clubs.

Occasionally though there would be the massive stress involved, if a meeting overran or the traffic was bad, to pick up before closing time. Clearly no child would be abandoned on the front door step, but I would always feel guilty if a carer had been obliged to stay longer on account of me – they too have a life beyond work, and should not be taken for granted.

So I was delighted when I met recently the owner of At Home Childcare, providing flexible home-based child care within the Nottinghamshire area. Although my son is no longer a candidate for childcare, I fully appreciate the value of flexibility, and hope that Yvette continues to grow and duplicate her business so that more working parents can take advantage of its benefits.

As the government and employers currently debate whether more flexible working practices will actually damage women’s career opportunities, where does that leave women business owners? In theory, with more flexibility to manage their time and balance the needs of their children with those of the business. In practice though it is not always so simple.

Here are some tips for all working mothers that others have found useful:

1. Define your boundaries

Be clear what is working time and what is family time, let others know, and stick to it.

2. “Where you are, be there”

Don’t cheat on the boundaries. If you are with a client, they deserve, and are probably paying for, your full attention. If you’re in the car with the children, it’s not the time to be planning your work day.

3. Be prepared to negotiate boundaries if they are not working for any involved party

This includes you and your own needs and wellbeing.

4. Include “me time” in your balance equation

Also time for everything else that is important to you. For more help check out a Wheel of Life.

5. Remember why you have chosen to be a working parent

Even if financially there appears to be no choice, keep at the forefront of your mind the benefits for you and your family of your working. If there really are none, a different type of negotiation is indicated.

For more information on this and related subjects contact sue@resolutions-for-change.co.uk

If there are any similar subjects you would like to see featured on this blog, please contact sue@resolutions-for-change.co.uk