How Do You Manage Your Time Between Your Job and Your Family?

This is a question that many of us are plagued with all the time. But is there a right or wrong answer to this timeless question? Each person’s story is different, but what matters the most is how you choose to handle the situation.

Here’s what happened to me….My company is Wrapperlicious. I am building the company brick by brick and it has been one of the most fulfilling and challenging things I have ever had to do. I initially started Wrapperlicious in order to make ends meet, when my husband was laid off. Little did I know, this business would turn into a passion and that I would even do it for free. (Okay, there are limits to my insanity…smile.) Another thing I did not know is that I would have to beg for support from my husband, as well as figure out a way to balance my time between the business and my family. The other catch here is that I also have a full-time job during the day.

So, is there an easy solution? Hell No! Because there are not enough hours in the day, someone is going to lose. Or will they? I always feel like my family competes for my time. Which do I choose? Should I choose to work on my business or spend time with my family? Case in point, if I choose to appease my husband and sit and watch a movie with him, I feel like that’s wasted time and I could put that same time into my business. Therefore, if I choose to work on business, my husband and my children feel neglected. But my question is: “Don’t these people see that I’m trying to make a better life for us; can’t they see this?” ARGH!!!

My goal is to eventually have a successful business that will allow me to have more time with my family and to stop working to make other people rich. The quality of life I want to offer them will not be accomplished doing nothing, especially when I can be doing something.

So tell me, is there an easy solution? Perhaps. Here’s what I eventually did. I came up with a plan to dedicate my time to both. How? Well I’ll tell you. A part of my business requires me to work with my table saw. Yes, I like power tools! I have now asked my husband to help me. Men like to feel strong & needed, so I’ve gotten him involved, hence we’re spending time together. I also scheduled a date for us to spend time alone at least once a week, even if it requires that I hire a babysitter.

As far as my children are concerned, I dedicate my weekends to them and my husband has agreed to take them somewhere for a few hours on weekends so I can work on my business. When they return, I must stop what I’m doing and join in on the family fun.

The moral here is, even when you feel overwhelmed and pulled and several different directions, there’s always a compromise that will make everyone happy. But this must begin with communication and a plan that will please everyone. Having peace in the home is a beautiful thing.