

{"id":58973,"date":"2020-07-09T10:52:11","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T10:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/parenting\/work-life-balance-hacks-to-help-dads\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T06:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T06:33:37","slug":"work-life-balance-hacks-to-help-dads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/parenting\/work-life-balance-hacks-to-help-dads\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Work-Life Balance Hacks to Help Dads Do It All"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17569\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/work-life-balance-hacks-to-help-dads-do-it-all-1606134525.jpg\" alt=\"Busy Businessman Working From Home And Watching Baby\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all know parenting in today&rsquo;s climate isn&rsquo;t easy. Between school closures and mandatory stay-home orders, busy working dads are managing work and family challenges they never thought they&rsquo;d encounter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incorporating teaching and parenting into their professional pursuits is not an easy task, and many working fathers are finding it difficult not to spread themselves too thin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that working remotely has become the &ldquo;new normal,&rdquo; a few red flags can arise for a work from home dad or mom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And although you get to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/family\/spending-time-with-family\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spend more time with your family<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there can be benefits from boundaries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&rsquo;s talk about some of the conflicts fathers face while trying to find the right work-life balance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Lack of schedules for themselves and their children<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&rsquo;s face it; many parents feel a sigh of relief after a busy morning when their kids finally run off to school. And that&rsquo;s okay!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are benefits to time with and away from little ones to help them learn the value of routines, schedules, and tasks!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, <\/span><b>to maintain work-life balance schedules are just as important for parents.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It helps limit distractions, laziness, and helps them get stuff done.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The self-imposed structure is tough in an at-home work environment full of distractions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Separating personal life from work life<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before we all were restricted to our homes, it was easier to find work-life balance. But, now the ability to literally &ldquo;leave work at the office&rdquo; is no longer an option when your home is your new work environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many fathers find it difficult to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Separate-Your-Professional-and-Private-Life\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">separate personal life from work<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as boundaries blend and prioritize tangle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Constant distractions<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To find work-life balance, many fathers try to &ldquo;do it all&rdquo; by bouncing back and forth from parent to employee, limiting productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This juggling act will only make you feel more conflicted about how to balance work and family life as you would be distracted from your tasks at hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To make your life easier, here are 4 dad-approved strategies for keeping your work-life balance intact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many different ways to increase productivity when working remotely; however, we want to focus on strategies geared at helping dads be their best selves during and outside of work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep reading for the top dad-approved strategies for work-life balance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-Incorporate-self-care\"><\/span>1. Incorporate self-care<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17570\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/incorporate-self-care-1606134526.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful Women Meditation At Home With The Headphone\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you roll, your eyes hear us out!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Self-care is not solely for women and includes more than just face masks and spa treatments.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self-care<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is all about creating a wellness routine that is routed in rejuvenation and promotes healthy habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether that looks like incorporating an exercise routine into your day, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/marriage-fitness\/how-meditation-affects-relationships\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">opting for meditation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or working on your side hustle, there&rsquo;s always time to cultivate your mental health and treat yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your first thought is that you don&rsquo;t have the time, consider waking up an hour earlier than the rest of your family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the initial adjustment might be a rude awakening to your work-life balance, the cumulative effect of an extra hour of engaging in an activity you enjoy and planning every morning will do you well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look to a successful dad like Dwayne Johnson, who conquers a busy schedule by waking up at 4 am to complete his daily workout!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The more time you spend on mapping out your day, the more accomplished you&rsquo;ll feel.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-Ask-for-help\"><\/span>2. Ask for help<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We&rsquo;re not talking about all the time, but rather than draining yourself, why not work smarter?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&rsquo;s talk logistics&mdash;your employer is most likely prioritizing your efficiency of output. Ask your coworkers or boss for help when you need it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>It&rsquo;s a strength, not a weakness, to know when you need assistance. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delegate tasks whenever possible if you have too much on your plate and track how many hours you are working.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the hours your putting in are running hot, it might be time to have a conversation on scalability.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Optimize-time-off-the-clock\"><\/span>3. Optimize time off the clock<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;re like many fathers who feel like they roll right from working to&hellip; well more working than you&rsquo;re not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chores and those dad to-dos can take up most of your free time if you aren&rsquo;t increasing your efficiency just like you would at work. Why not delegate one day as laundry day instead of doing loads here and there?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Time tracking isn&rsquo;t just for project management and can be incorporated into tasks you and your children do.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maximizing your productivity tactics can make you a happier person and will benefit your family as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Also watch: How to actually work. When you are working from home.<br><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WqZiBugq4ts\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-Reduce-stress-while-working-from-home\"><\/span>4. Reduce stress while working from home<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We get it; we can&rsquo;t all be zen buddhas while finding the right work-life balance. If <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/emotional-intimacy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stress does arise<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (and we know it&rsquo;s not if but when), there are some strategies you can try to lower it in and around you. Explore our tactics below to maximize productivity and your sanity!<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Go for a walk:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You might have heard this a million times, but it rings true. Getting outside and taking breaks increases your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-serotonin-425327\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serotonin levels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and helps you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/staying-healthy\/exercising-to-relax\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lower stress<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Just a 10-minute walk can help you think clearer and might double as a fun activity to spend with your kids.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Get moving:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Think about all the meetings, conversations, and opportunities for mobility you previously had in a workday. Employees are not supposed to stay stagnant all day long, and changing up your work routine (think office to kitchen table) can be the change in scenery you need to finish the day strong or break up the day.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Connect with other dads:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you&rsquo;re the only father at your company, no problem! Find a group in or outside of your company to chat dad-talk with and exchange struggles and hacks. You just need this type of support to get through this time of uncertainty we are in.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all know that although the stressors of balancing fatherhood and business are not easy, you&rsquo;re doing everything you can to be the best dad for your family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We&rsquo;re here to tell you that your efforts do not go unnoticed and to be a little easier on yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We&rsquo;re on your team and hope these strategies have given you some inspiration to do it all!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>We all know parenting in today&rsquo;s climate isn&rsquo;t easy. Between school closures and mandatory stay-home orders, busy working dads are managing work and family challenges they never thought they&rsquo;d encounter. Incorporating teaching and parenting into their professional pursuits is not an easy task, and many working fathers are finding it difficult not to spread themselves too thin. Now that working remotely has become the &ldquo;new normal,&rdquo; a few red flags can arise for a work from home dad or mom. And although you get to spend more time with your family, there can be benefits from boundaries. Let&rsquo;s talk about <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1023,"featured_media":58974,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[2645],"class_list":["post-58973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parenting","tag-parenting-while-struggling","has_thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1023"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58973"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118947,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58973\/revisions\/118947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}