Balancing Work and Parenting: Strategies for Success

Balancing Work and Parenting

I have two young children and I work from home. Things have been going very well—perhaps too well! My business (I design and make jewellery) is growing, and I am finding it increasingly difficult to balance time for both my children and my work. I want to spend quality time with my children, but I also want my business to continue growing. My husband works very long hours and cannot help much, except on weekends. What should I do?

A Portrait of My Best Friend: Ann

My best friend is Ann. We first met at school over 20 years ago when we were 11. I remember meeting in the playground while playing football. At first, I thought he seemed very arrogant, and I didn't like him at all. However, he made a joke about what a terrible footballer I was, and it was so funny that I had to laugh. We have been close friends ever since, although there have been times when we haven't seen each other for years.

Understanding Ann's Personality

Many people find it hard to understand Ann. He gives the impression of being very serious, but he loves having fun and meeting people. He is great company and has a great sense of humour, although he doesn't like telling jokes. He is also a very good listener. Over the years, he has helped me through problems by simply sitting and listening. Because he is very easy to talk to, we chat for hours about:

• Football
• Politics
• Relationships

Physical Appearance

Physically, he is of average build and quite tall. He has a pale complexion and blond curly hair, but his most prominent feature is his moustache. You wouldn't necessarily call him handsome, but he has an interesting face. He has lively blue eyes and a prominent nose that many women seem to like.

Interests and Hobbies

He is keen on many things, especially music, but he hates dancing! He is very talented at the guitar and plays often when he is alone at home. He is an active guy who enjoys sports, although he cannot play football anymore. He loves going to:

• Concerts
• The pub
• Exhibitions

One of his greatest passions is food and wine. That is another reason why I like him so much—he is an excellent cook!