Managing Your Work - Life Balance

Do you struggle to keep up with your job, family, kids activities, pets, homework, and hobbies? If you are juggling too many balls, or wearing too many hats then this article is for you. Here are helpful hints for maintaining balance between your home and work life. These tips can make you feel more in control of you life, more productive, and most of all make time for rest and relaxation.

Be present. If you are at work give it your all. Same goes for when you are at home- leave work at the door.

Maintain a routine; try and work the same schedule if you can. This way you can set a routine for your home time.

Make priorities- read to your children before they go to bed, whole family have dinner together; walk the dog before bed. Whatever it is that matters to you - make time to do it.

Plan days off. Days off from work, and give yourself some personal time. Don't forget about YOU. Schedule a manicure; go to a football game or a ballet; just spend some time on yourself.

Plan family outings for Friday or Saturday nights if possible; this way you will have at least one day to recover before heading back to work. Sometimes family outings can be more exhausting than a day at the office!

Don't plan too much. Keep things simple. Your family wants your time so give it to them. Spend time playing a board game or shooting hoops instead of busy activities that leave everyone exhausted.

Don't forget about your friends. Make time to get out and visit; arrange a play date for yourself! Why not spend one night a month getting together with the gals/guys?

Don't forget your hobbies! Its easy to push things to the side because of the kids; but one day they are going to be grown up and gone- and you will want something to distract you

Limit your children's activities! Don't schedule a play date or sporting event for every night of the week. Keep it simple- one sporting even per season, with perhaps some music lessons thrown in. Limiting the activities your child is involved in will not only give you the parent more time but also give the child some much needed down time, as well as time for chores and homework.

Give your children chores. I started my children at the age of 2, they could help put toys away and help make their beds. Chores help the children feel like valued members of the family. While they are young it might take more supervision but don't jump in take over. Let them learn how to complete the task on their own.

By following just a few of these steps you will reduce you stress level and find balance between your home and work life!