Comments on: “No such thing as work-life balance” Why not already!? http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/ Where Moms and the people who love them fight for a better America Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:18:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bill Bartmann http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-11803 Bill Bartmann Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:31:45 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-11803 Cool site, love the info. Cool site, love the info.

]]> By: Kate http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8465 Kate Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:19:16 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8465 Accidentally typed my comment as an anonymous reply to Risa, below. Accidentally typed my comment as an anonymous reply to Risa, below.

]]> By: Kate http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8464 Kate Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:16:07 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8464 Sorry, I didn't leave my contact information above. I have a 5 year old son, am a practicing patent attorney, and spent 3 full years finding a "family friendly" job after my child was born. Sorry, I didn’t leave my contact information above. I have a 5 year old son, am a practicing patent attorney, and spent 3 full years finding a “family friendly” job after my child was born.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8463 Anonymous Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:01:00 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8463 I don't want to live in a society where all "business" is done by men. It is important that women be involved, add their perspective...in ALL professions. I understand that it is very difficult for a business owner to "accommodate" by allowing flexibility and "family-friendly policies". The playing field MUST be level or those who adopt such policies may be at a disadvantage. However, I also see that there are plenty of people who are overworked. Do workers not deserve to spend time with their families and be rested, just because that's good for the bottom line? At some point, we MUST restrain business/capitalism. I want to work (I've invested over 10 years in my education; do you expect me to just give this away; I wouldn't ask you to give your house-also an investment- to someone on the street for free..); I have talents I can contribute to society. I also want to be a parent...a GOOD and loving parent who has time for her family. If my employer REQUIRES (subtly or otherwise) that I put in 10 hour days, what am I supposed to do? Just let it be because it is good for business/the bottom line? We can't expect business to restrain itself; it won't. Women aren't the only ones harmed; so are Dad's who would rather have more time with their kids. Also, as a woman why should I limit myself to career choices (nursing? certain types of law?) because I can get flexible hours??? I KNOW I can contribute tremendously if I worked 9am-3pm; I am very motivated and have a lot to offer; then, I could also be with my son, go to his afternoon activities. I want to do this. What is stopping us from allowing parents a 9-3 "in office" schedule, perhaps followed by a couple of hours of work-at-home while the kids sleep, or just the 9-3 schedule? What is stopping us is old thinking. Either employers will change their ways or Government can impose it, and thereby "level the playing field" for businesses. We should change for the benefit of our kids AND parents. If business can't do it voluntarily, I think Government MUST have a role in restraining business and imposing family-friendly policies on business. This would then level the playing field for businesses; so that businesses aren't "punished" for adopting such policies while their competitors do not. I don’t want to live in a society where all “business” is done by men. It is important that women be involved, add their perspective…in ALL professions. I understand that it is very difficult for a business owner to “accommodate” by allowing flexibility and “family-friendly policies”. The playing field MUST be level or those who adopt such policies may be at a disadvantage. However, I also see that there are plenty of people who are overworked. Do workers not deserve to spend time with their families and be rested, just because that’s good for the bottom line? At some point, we MUST restrain business/capitalism. I want to work (I’ve invested over 10 years in my education; do you expect me to just give this away; I wouldn’t ask you to give your house-also an investment- to someone on the street for free..); I have talents I can contribute to society. I also want to be a parent…a GOOD and loving parent who has time for her family. If my employer REQUIRES (subtly or otherwise) that I put in 10 hour days, what am I supposed to do? Just let it be because it is good for business/the bottom line? We can’t expect business to restrain itself; it won’t. Women aren’t the only ones harmed; so are Dad’s who would rather have more time with their kids. Also, as a woman why should I limit myself to career choices (nursing? certain types of law?) because I can get flexible hours??? I KNOW I can contribute tremendously if I worked 9am-3pm; I am very motivated and have a lot to offer; then, I could also be with my son, go to his afternoon activities. I want to do this. What is stopping us from allowing parents a 9-3 “in office” schedule, perhaps followed by a couple of hours of work-at-home while the kids sleep, or just the 9-3 schedule? What is stopping us is old thinking. Either employers will change their ways or Government can impose it, and thereby “level the playing field” for businesses. We should change for the benefit of our kids AND parents. If business can’t do it voluntarily, I think Government MUST have a role in restraining business and imposing family-friendly policies on business. This would then level the playing field for businesses; so that businesses aren’t “punished” for adopting such policies while their competitors do not.

]]> By: Workplace Flexibility News for the week of July 12, 2009 | Connecting Career and Life http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8292 Workplace Flexibility News for the week of July 12, 2009 | Connecting Career and Life Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:20:30 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8292 [...] “No such thing as work-life balance” Why not already!? (MomsRising.org) [...] [...] “No such thing as work-life balance” Why not already!? (MomsRising.org) [...]

]]> By: Elena http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8286 Elena Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:59:53 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8286 We can have it all...just not at the SAME time! Enjoy your stage of life, whether it is college freedom, new marriage, young family, or hard hitting business women. We can have it all…just not at the SAME time! Enjoy your stage of life, whether it is college freedom, new marriage, young family, or hard hitting business women.

]]> By: Chris Johnson http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8198 Chris Johnson Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:21:44 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8198 I agree with Amalia. Everyone would like to have it all, but the majority of us are not built for that....we have limitations. You can't expect companies to accomodate our lifestyle choices when there are other single women who will work 10-12 hour days to do just as good or even better than those of us who choose to balance work with family. To expect more is infantile. My retirement is invested to a large percentage in my company stock. Although I choose to balance my life by placing higher importance to my family, I appreciate the value that hard-working CEOs dedicate to my company and the value they bring to my stock portfolio. I am growing more and more weary hearing women like Kristin placing advancement in career on the same level as involvement in our families. It is not the same and we need to stop treating our children and families as if they were no no more important to us than our clients and professional colleagues. No wonder our daughters are becoming sexually active in elementary school, and our sons are growing up with less appreciation for women. Wake up and choose your priorities ladies! Whatever they may be, invest your energies into those priorities, and stop listening to people like Kristin who contribute nothing more to society than to drive us to nervous breakdowns because we find ourselves failing at being an effective business women and at being an attentive parent; just because she says we can be both. Does she have more than 24 hours in her day or what. Reality check please! I agree with Amalia. Everyone would like to have it all, but the majority of us are not built for that….we have limitations. You can’t expect companies to accomodate our lifestyle choices when there are other single women who will work 10-12 hour days to do just as good or even better than those of us who choose to balance work with family. To expect more is infantile. My retirement is invested to a large percentage in my company stock. Although I choose to balance my life by placing higher importance to my family, I appreciate the value that hard-working CEOs dedicate to my company and the value they bring to my stock portfolio. I am growing more and more weary hearing women like Kristin placing advancement in career on the same level as involvement in our families. It is not the same and we need to stop treating our children and families as if they were no no more important to us than our clients and professional colleagues. No wonder our daughters are becoming sexually active in elementary school, and our sons are growing up with less appreciation for women. Wake up and choose your priorities ladies! Whatever they may be, invest your energies into those priorities, and stop listening to people like Kristin who contribute nothing more to society than to drive us to nervous breakdowns because we find ourselves failing at being an effective business women and at being an attentive parent; just because she says we can be both. Does she have more than 24 hours in her day or what. Reality check please!

]]> By: Jennifer F Williams http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8172 Jennifer F Williams Fri, 17 Jul 2009 21:36:46 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8172 I believe that you can have "it all" but it depends on what you want. Amalia wants to be home with her kids. That is great! To her that may be having it all. And just because some of us enjoy working as defined by Risa in category 2 we should not be judged by those who choose to stay home. I like my job, but I also need my job to maintain the lifestyle my family and I currently enjoy. Even if I were financially independent I would still choose to find some out of the home activities because that is who I am. We all make our choices as Diane said, and we have to live with them. But just because we choose to sit instead of stand (for example) doesn't mean the chair needs to be hard wood with no cushion. I also agree with Risa that the American society has a slightly warped view of a work ethic. I DO NOT believe in traveling half the month away from my family, or staying at work until 7 or 8, or missing key family events. My job allows me to leave at a reasonable time to be home in time for dinner and put my baby girl to bed. I am taking my husband and daughter with me on my next business trip. These are the allowances women can and should have. We should not be required to work extra hours just to move up the ladder. I believe that is what this post is trying to say. It's not about giving women all these extra perks, or making special compensations. It's about making sense. It's about not having to sacrifice ones family in order to get ahead. I've done it. It is possible. I believe that you can have “it all” but it depends on what you want. Amalia wants to be home with her kids. That is great! To her that may be having it all. And just because some of us enjoy working as defined by Risa in category 2 we should not be judged by those who choose to stay home. I like my job, but I also need my job to maintain the lifestyle my family and I currently enjoy. Even if I were financially independent I would still choose to find some out of the home activities because that is who I am. We all make our choices as Diane said, and we have to live with them. But just because we choose to sit instead of stand (for example) doesn’t mean the chair needs to be hard wood with no cushion.

I also agree with Risa that the American society has a slightly warped view of a work ethic. I DO NOT believe in traveling half the month away from my family, or staying at work until 7 or 8, or missing key family events. My job allows me to leave at a reasonable time to be home in time for dinner and put my baby girl to bed. I am taking my husband and daughter with me on my next business trip. These are the allowances women can and should have. We should not be required to work extra hours just to move up the ladder. I believe that is what this post is trying to say. It’s not about giving women all these extra perks, or making special compensations. It’s about making sense. It’s about not having to sacrifice ones family in order to get ahead. I’ve done it. It is possible.

]]> By: Amalia SCHNEIDER http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8158 Amalia SCHNEIDER Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:19:43 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8158 Sorry, But I totally disagree with your beliefs. I am sorry, but I am a stay home momm who believes that We can not have it all. That is a lie that the media, organizations like yours and this society are trying to sell to the women. I know many women who really need to get out there and work to help sustain their families, And yes they need better conditions. I used to work and take care of the family and is very difficult. I agree that women need to get education, college degrees but we can not forget that Family is first. Because Family is the foundation of the society. Who is taking care of the children, when mom and dad are working??? Third persons..day cares...nannys??? How sad is that we want to have children , but we don't want to raise them. So we give our children to others to raise them while we are working. Trying to have a Work-life balance, that just bring caos to our society. Hope God gives you the wisdom to make right decision and think better about your likes or dislikes. As you say, Good work/life fit is good for both businesses and the people that work for them...What about the families that are not well taking care of.???? Best Regards, Sorry, But I totally disagree with your beliefs. I am sorry, but I am a stay home momm who believes that We can not have it all. That is a lie that the media, organizations like yours and this society are trying to sell to the women.

I know many women who really need to get out there and work to help sustain their families, And yes they need better conditions.

I used to work and take care of the family and is very difficult. I agree that women need to get education, college degrees but we can not forget that Family is first. Because Family is the foundation of the society. Who is taking care of the children, when mom and dad are working??? Third persons..day cares…nannys??? How sad is that we want to have children , but we don’t want to raise them. So we give our children to others to raise them while we are working. Trying to have a Work-life balance, that just bring caos to our society.

Hope God gives you the wisdom to make right decision and think better about your likes or dislikes. As you say, Good work/life fit is good for both businesses and the people that work for them…What about the families that are not well taking care of.????

Best Regards,

]]> By: Diane Kendall http://www.momsrising.org/blog/no-such-thing-as-work-life-balance-why-not-already/comment-page-1/#comment-8155 Diane Kendall Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:46:38 +0000 http://www.momsrising.org/blog/?p=2010#comment-8155 I am writting to disagree with your comment that work-home-family balance can be attained and that we need to pressure businesses into making it possible. As a business owner my primary objective is the health of the business. Happy employees of course are a very important piece of that. However, I can only hire people that meet the requirements of the job. It's not our responsiblity to make sure the job meets the requirements of the individual. If you need balance in your home work environment than seek jobs that offer that. Don't apply for a job and then ask the employer to change for you. It is impossible for any mother or father to give 100% to their job and their family. Balance is also subjective. I agree with the previous comment. No matter how many books you read it will not happen. You have chosen your priorities and your career. You have to find the best way to make it work for you. I am writting to disagree with your comment that work-home-family balance can be attained and that we need to pressure businesses into making it possible. As a business owner my primary objective is the health of the business. Happy employees of course are a very important piece of that. However, I can only hire people that meet the requirements of the job. It’s not our responsiblity to make sure the job meets the requirements of the individual.

If you need balance in your home work environment than seek jobs that offer that. Don’t apply for a job and then ask the employer to change for you. It is impossible for any mother or father to give 100% to their job and their family. Balance is also subjective. I agree with the previous comment. No matter how many books you read it will not happen. You have chosen your priorities and your career. You have to find the best way to make it work for you.

]]>