Balancing Work and Home

1. Balancing Work and Home Learning to Juggle Multiple Demands

2. Learning Points • Determine various sources of stress • Take a fresh look at personal values and choices • Learn skills for effectively managing multiple demands

3. Identifying Multiple Responsibilities Home/Family Social Community Spiritual Self-care Education Hobbies Work

4. Dealing with Resource Deficits Cognitive shift Redistribution of assets Acceptance Fundamental lifestyle change

5. Coping Strategies: Achieving Balance • Reframe negative self-talk. • Reduce unproductive guilt. • Explore organizational flexibility. • Try personal and interpersonal coping tips. • Get support.

6. Achieving Balance:Strategies for Home • Hold family meetings. • Combine tasks. • Rotate which needs get met. • Get help. • Re-evaluate priorities. • Understand the past. • Stop second guessing. • Plan weekends. • Use the calendar.

7. Chores: Getting the Work Done • Call a family meeting. • Use incentives. • Use natural consequences. • Lower your standards. • Use the “ten minute” system. • Plan cleaning projects at “low impact” times of the day. • Consider hiring a cleaning service or arranging chore co-ops with the neighbors.

8. Achieving Balance: Strategies for Work and Play • Use discretionary time. • Set limits. • Communicate needs. • Consider values and goals. • Acknowledge accomplishments. • Get support. • Be supportive.

9. Taking Responsibility • Make time to be alone. • Know your passions. • Realize that the choices are difficult. • Learn to let go. • Allow for change. • Keep communication open.

10. When To Talk To A Professional Counselor • Emotions feel unwieldy • Use of drugs/alcohol to cope • Reckless behavior • Decrease in work performance • Interpersonal difficulties • Disrupted sleep and appetite patterns • Suicidal thoughts