Stop Trying to Be “Superparent”

Don’t go it alone! First, admit you need help. Then, ask for it. At home, discuss your conflicts with family members, and allow everyone to come up with new ideas. If you present your problems with a positive outlook, rather than a defensive “poor me, I have all this work” attitude, chances are your family will be supportive and quick to help. Don’t be afraid to “off-load” domestic duties — take advantage of personal shoppers, online ordering, housecleaning help, dog walkers, take-out meals — whatever it takes to reduce your day-to-day stress. Sure, you’ll pay extra, but isn’t it worth it in the long run?

Stop Trying to Be “Superworker”

At work, solutions for a more balanced lifestyle may be right at your fingertips! Are you constantly under stress because you sometimes miss meetings due to family conflicts or must rush out the door at 5:00 to pick up your kids? Again, communication is the key. Talk to your supervisor, and offer to bring work home to complete in the evenings, or come in extra early a few days a week to catch up. Find out if critical meetings can be rescheduled, or have them tape recorded if you are in a crunch. Once your supervisor and coworkers understand your commitment to your job, they will be more committed to helping you work out solutions.

Decide What’s Important

Is getting that great promotion and corner office what you really want? Or is spending time with your family more important to you? How much do you really need another raise, if it means sacrificing more time and energy than you have to give? Is money as important as it used to be? Can you get by on less? Do you want to? Can you or your spouse alter your job to better address family issues? Tough questions, but once you’ve figured out your priorities, you will gain the freedom to act on them, and that is an important step toward reducing stress in your life.

Stop Wallowing in Guilt

Being overcome with guilt doesn’t help anyone, and it adds more stress to your life than any other single factor. But here’s an interesting twist to the guilt picture: Feeling a little guilty is healthy! In fact, you wouldn't be human if you didn’t!

Accept the fact that you can love your family, and love your work too! There’s no written law that says you have to put your career on the backburner once you start a family. Work can be creative, challenging, exciting, and invigorating — part of what makes you who you are. Not to mention the financial rewards work brings.

With careful planning, compromise and creative solutions, you can successfully balance your work and family life. Good luck!