Dads – is it time to rethink our Work-Life Balance?
Here, I have a guest post for you from a dad blogger to talk about how dads need to consider their work-life balance. Han-Son from Daddilife shares his thoughts here.
An Increased Focus on Dad Life
Over recent years, it has become more commonplace to work from home. Since the pandemic, there are many more jobs that allow either hybrid working or fully remote working. These make a huge difference to the work-life balance of all parents, especially dads.
However, far from this being a new thought process, our Millennial Dad at Work study from 2019 showed that this was already a growing area of need for modern-day dads, where we found that:
- 87 per cent of fathers are now actively involved in daily parenting.
- Sixty-three per cent requested a change in their work schedules after becoming fathers.
- Fathers are more likely to change job positions to address the needs of their families.
- Fathers are also finding it increasingly difficult to strike a balance between their careers and their families.
Increasingly, modern-day dads have expressed a desire for more flexible working hours to balance the needs of their families and their own day-to-day responsibilities.
However, while the desire for change exists, many workplaces have been slow to realise it and address that change head-on. That, plus the fact that for many dads, the natural thought to ‘speak out’ about that sort of thing at work is still all too uncommon.
So, in the run-up to Father’s Day, I wanted to outline a few areas, beyond just getting a great dad gift, that could create a lasting legacy for the family lifestyle, including a good work-life balance, way beyond that date.
1. Talking to those that matter
If dads truly want a better work/life balance, they need to start thinking about how to establish clear channels of communication in the workplace and at home.
At Home – It’s not just prudent to discuss how you’re feeling with your partner/loved ones; it’s vital that you do this together as a team to ensure you’re creating the right direction that works for all of you.
At Work – Senior management simply won’t offer to make any changes if they are unaware that a problem exists. Dads will need to be proactive and explain the current situation in order to determine what alternatives are available.
2. What’s the schedule that really works?
Achieving the right work-life balance also means setting the right schedule.
It’s essential to be honest with yourself about the schedule you desire. Be realistic with how much you can expect to accomplish within a given day, what you need from others, and what others need from you. Above all, be sure that your family knows this too!
This will help everyone get more accomplished and ultimately ensure that any quality time spent with your loved ones is real quality time.
3. We need to talk about finances
When considering your schedule and work-life balance, it’s essential to apply some pragmatism as well. After all, what use are more flexible working hours if your finances are placed at too great a risk?
Perhaps it means re-budgeting, perhaps it means a different way to look at the situation, but remember, flexibility alone needs a total balance.
4. There’s no such thing as perfect
Finally, learn to accept that there is no “perfect” work-life balance. I prefer to think of it as a healthy compromise. You should totally expect that the initial transition may be difficult. You could experience periods of stress while adjusting.
These are completely normal things, and they will likely pass quickly. Above all, be sure to discuss these with your family to receive some much-needed support from time to time.
One final thing…
I envision a future where flexible working will one day become increasingly the norm. What you’re doing now, Dad, is beginning to prepare for the future, now.
It matters for you, and it also matters for families. Reflecting on what a clear work-life balance means to you will help ensure that you remain productive while also enjoying all that your family has to offer.
Do you have a good work-life balance? Let me know in the comments below.
