The wisdom of setting priorities to rank facets of life, essential activities, and tasks with approaching deadlines seems obvious at first. Yet, even if we succeed in numbering our priorities, these rankings fail to resolve the tensions between competing demands on our time and attention. For example, quips like “family first” suggest work responsibilities should be … [Read more...]
Flexible Work Arrangements: Do they help or hinder work-life balance?
“Raise your hand if you’ve ever responded to a work email from home,” the presenter began, during a session on work and technology. All the audience members raised their hands, acknowledging that despite set hours and offices designated for work tasks, each of them had engaged in some form of virtual work from home. Technology continues to facilitate greater flexibility in … [Read more...]
Stepping into New Seasons of Life & Work
My nearly 18-year-old announced at the dinner table that she has decided which college to attend this fall. While I’m excited for her future plans, it’s another reminder that I’m entering a new season. Each life and career stage brings with it a set of challenges and opportunities. Like spring, summer, winter, and fall, the seasons that mark major milestones leave behind the … [Read more...]
Dreams and Decisions
It took just six words to fulfill the dream of a lifetime. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the flight attendant announced, “welcome to Malta.” No one on the plane clapped or cheered as the midnight arrival taxied to the gate, but inside I was dancing with excitement. All my life I had learned about my Maltese heritage. Although my dad was born in Washington, D.C., both of his parents … [Read more...]
Do you make time to play?
My kids have no problem playing. In fact, given the choice, they will choose playing over anything else – homework, chores, sleep. They have a built-in propensity to enjoy themselves and don’t hesitate to set aside more mundane tasks to engage in some plain old playtime. Me, not so much. I’m not sure when I lost my talent for play, but somewhere along the way it was … [Read more...]
The Routines that Saved the Day
My days are just a little bit full, between teaching university classes and local workshops, running an online tutoring company, blogging, serving on two local leadership teams, and trying to keep up with the activities and education of my children, sometimes I just get frazzled. I genuinely love what I do, but I sometimes have trouble keeping track of it all. As a working … [Read more...]
How to Organize your Back to School Schedule
It’s that time of year. The time when parents scurry around with lists of school supplies, go shopping for school clothes, and try to get organized for the new school year. The back to school season can be exciting as kids head to new classes and college students make the trip to campus, but it can also be a time of anxiety as we transition to a new schedule and adjust to all … [Read more...]
Creating a Family Mission Statement
Like many families, I often get caught up in the endless activities available for my children and our family. From extracurricular opportunities to education and community involvement to volunteering, there is always plenty for us to do. But saying yes to everything isn’t good for me or my kids. Running here and there gives us little time to enjoy our time together and teaches … [Read more...]
Top 25 Ideas for Free Family Fun
In my efforts to manage work and life, spending quality time with my family is important. Of course, sitting around staring at each other isn’t the type of family time I’m looking for. Meaningful family time to me is interactive, memorable, and fun. While I spend time with my family all week long, we try to plan at least one special event weekly for quality family fun … [Read more...]
“Mommy, where are you?”: Being Present with My Kids
While I set aside regular time to spend with my kids, I often find myself physically present but mentally preparing for a project, planning next week’s schedule, or rehearsing an email response. When this happens, I end up trying to wrestle my thoughts back to the present. It’s not that I don’t want to be with kids, there are just so many other things vying for my time and … [Read more...]
