Career Woman Vs Family Woman: Solving The Dilemma
Assuming that career-oriented women cannot run a tight ship at home is a thing of the past. Today, many women are efficiently managing their roles as career women and family women. However, suppose one has to choose between the two. In that case, it will depend on the family's personal preferences, financial needs, and much more.
Many women aspire to be successful in their careers while still raising a family. While it is understandable that balancing work and family are elements of life that occupy the majority of our lifetime; however, it is not an impossible feat to accomplish in today's world. There are several factors to consider whether your work or family should take precedence. This blog covers important things to consider while making this tough decision: choosing a profession over a family or vice versa or even if being able to strike a sweet balance between both roles is possible. Now comes the real question: Career woman vs. family woman?
Family vs. Career
Women often bear the weight of this quandary since they have historically been the primary caregivers for children. However, since women have defined their place in the workforce and continue to excel in academics, they have taken on more than they can handle. This inequality of the burden of the chores shared by a couple in a household has put the opposite sex also in question. Men have an equally vital role to play in the family. In terms of time spent with the children, their role in the household was underestimated.
However, times are rapidly changing. There are new conceptions of family structures, and traditional gender roles are being challenged. As a result, the fact is that you don't have to view the issue as binary. You can have a great profession and raise a happy family on your terms. This requires a mental change, appropriate time management, and attention to finding the correct balance for you.
Making a Decision
Some women happily choose to be stay-at-home moms or homemakers, and there is nothing wrong with that. If managing the house is your cup of tea, let no one tell you otherwise. Do what makes you happy, be the protagonist of your story!
For women who are more ambitious and want to achieve more in their professional lives, choosing between family and job is no longer an option. In previous times, our society used to have more clearly defined roles. Rather than feeling guilty for devoting time to work, channel that energy towards being totally present with your family. The most excellent approach to striking a balance between the two is to be present in the moment constantly. This requires work and mindfulness but once mastered; it may be life-changing.
Making a Sacrifice
If your objective isn't merely to balance your career and family well enough but rather to excel at one, you will need to give up one of the two options. This is due to the fact that there are only 24 hours in a day, and nothing you can do can change this reality. However, if you decide that advancing in your job is more important, you must be prepared to devote at least five years of your life to parenting.
The notion is that children often begin school around the age of five, which implies that some time will be freed up when they are not under your care. Suppose you determine that rising forward in your profession means a lot to you regarding financial security and competence or enthusiasm. In that case, you should think about having children early in your career. It will be simpler to re-enter the workforce and catch up at a younger age.
Finding the Perfect Balance
Finding the perfect balance between pursuing a profession and pursuing a family is very subjective, but there is always a way. You must have a solution-oriented approach. Consider having a job that provides the flexibility of working hours and reasonable leaves where you can watch your kids grow and take care of your finances at the same time. This kills two birds with one stone because having a job will give you more financial stability, which helps you take care of yourself. That way, you may be able to work fewer hours than you would otherwise have to support your family. There are several strategies to optimize your time and energy in each scenario. Rather than doing nothing, you may construct your life the way you want it to be. This includes:
#1. Dealing with the Problem
Some women have trouble communicating their family duties in the workplace. By dismissing the fact that family is important to you, you invite everyone in your office to do the same. Speak up, and if you have a significant family milestone that requires you to leave work early, notify your superiors ahead of time. Everyone acknowledges and knows what family means to different individuals.
#2. Setting Time Limits
Learn to say "no" when something comes up at work, or your personal life isn't fulfilling your goals. Learning to say no goes hand in hand with time management.
#3. Changing Your Work Attitude
Both family and job are significant aspects of your existence. That is, they are not required to reside in distinct bubbles. You presumably already discuss employment with your family. These sorts of talks may even improve ties with colleagues you can relate to. Over time, cultures and society evolve. As a result, working standards shift, and so do the mechanisms to accommodate them. Although most areas still have a long way to go in terms of work/family balance. Most nations, for example, have mandated regulations governing maternity and paternal leave.
Many organizations are adjusting to individuals who return from maternity leave and must either bring their newborns to work or continue to care for their familial responsibilities while at work. To illustrate, some businesses began to provide maternity rooms for new moms so that they may pump breast milk privately. That is just one example of how the corporate atmosphere changes to accommodate family responsibilities.
Tips for Balancing Work and Family
When juggling a profession and a family, keep the following guidelines in mind:
#1. Be present.
Be present wherever you are. Don't dwell on the notion that you might be with family while working. Try not to focus on the job when spending time with family. You are detracting energy from what is in front of you, and it will reduce your efficiency.
#2. Schedule Alone Time
It is important to take care of yourself and to be happy no matter what you are going through in your life. Take regular breaks to recharge your batteries without fail and live a happy and healthy life. It will give you more energy for the tasks ahead, and you will be able to achieve more in both your professional and personal life.
#3. Let Go of Guilt
Guilt is a feeling that inhibits activity. It's pretty taxing. Try to get rid of thoughts of guilt and be kind to yourself. You're doing everything you can!
Conclusion
Finally, being a career woman, a family woman, or both is a personal decision. However, there aren't many black-and-white situations in life. Instead, it requires balance and precision to manage your time so that you may excel at work while still caring for your family. Everyone's circumstance is different, so after deciding what's best for you, stick to it and make it happen (guilt-free, of course)!