Finding a Balance for a Happy Family and a Successful Business

 

People who chase success are often asked what they’d choose between career and family. It’s as if having both can’t be an option. But the question isn’t nonsense, either. Most times, parents who manage a successful business sacrifice time with their family in return, bringing sense to the notion that balancing a career and a family is almost impossible.

 

If you’re a business owner, does that mean that your children are bound to rebel and that your family will be dysfunctional? While either can be at risk of happening because of your demanding work schedule, you can prevent them.

 

Make the Effort to Communicate

 

Some busy parents claim that spending “time” with their family is enough. But can you say the same about managing your business and expect high sales? If giving time for your business isn’t enough to make it prosper, then likewise won’t work in sustaining your relationship with your family. Time needs to be valuable, not just a mundane series of activities that every family does typically.

 

Communication is the key to improve your business operations and family relations. If you want your employees to convey issues to you right away, your family should be able to do the same and feel safe. Therefore, be open to communication, and listen without judging when your family members complain about your frequent absence.

 

Quality time and communication are highly crucial now that classes have resumed for some kids. If you have a teen currently having middle school classes online, they’d need your time more often, even if their school is known for its quality education. Many people are only starting to get used to online classes because of the pandemic, so your child would need your support as they adjust to the new normal.

 

Establish a Routine

 

Running a business is hectic, but if you manage your time, you won’t find yourself struggling to juggle parenting, house chores, and being an entrepreneur.

 

Establish a routine to make your commitments more manageable. For instance, make 7 AM to 4 PM work time while your kids are in school. Then, make it a point to have dinner with your family. Before going to sleep, talk to each of your children for at least fifteen minutes. These simple acts can make a world of difference in your household.

If you can no longer perform chores, assign your kids to do them. Be sure that it’s age-appropriate, so that they can achieve their tasks well. Think about it as delegating; if you employ staff members to carry some burden for you, apply the same principle at home.

 

Acknowledge Your Shortcomings

 

You can’t be a full-time entrepreneur and a full-time, hands-on parent at the same time. But that’s okay. All you need to do, again, is to manage your time well and find balance.

 

If your kids are still young, talk to your spouse about organizing childcare. Set schedules where one of you at a time looks after the kids. Or hire outside childcare services if you and your spouse are both working. It’s okay to do this if your business is your only source of income and needs a chunk of your time. After all, it’s what will build a life for your family.

 

Set Rules and Expectations

 

Your children have to know that you’re managing a business. If your company is home-based, set rules about adopting a specific behavior when clients are around, how to answer business phone calls, etc. Make it clear as well that you’re not to be interrupted while working unless it’s an emergency. These rules will help make expectations clear, and will also make your kids feel involved while you’re at work.

 

You Can Make it Work

 

Managing a business is demanding, but so is running a household. It shouldn’t be a competition on what’s harder. You can have the best of both without feeling like you’re stuck to choose only one of the two.

 

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Good luck!

Ken Boyd

Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies

(email) ken@stltest.net

(website and blog) https://www.accountingaccidentally.com/