{ W o r k p a r e n t } – Solutions and dignity for all working parents.

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Workparent: the Time off Edition

June 18, 2021 

Happy Friday – and happy Father’s Day.  Here are two questions, a hack, and some fresh perspective that will make working parenthood easier and better in the months ahead.  You can read here, or on workparent.com.   

Two questions for you:

  1. Think back: When’s the last time you had a full day, fully off?  Not doing laundry, correcting homework or catching up on work email…but off

  2. If you’re not taking off all the time you feasibly could: why – and how is that approach serving you, your career, and your family?  

If you’re not getting enough downtime, but worried about potential consequences of taking a break from that endless to-do list (colleagues’ judgments? A bad review? More work to do later?) then start small. Try micro-cheating: end work early one day next week to do the 4:30 day camp pickup, or block your calendar for a “meeting”….and then go get a workout in.  No, it’s not vacation, but these snack-sized bites of flexibility will keep you feeling more energized and in-control, day-to-day – and it’s unlikely your manager or colleagues will even notice what you’re doing.  To make your micro-cheats rewarding, use them for activities you don’t usually get to do, and that don’t appear on your task list.  (Sneaking out 30 minutes early to run errands may be productive, but it won’t feel as rewarding or “off” as doing something for yourself, or with one of the kids.)  Over time, micro-cheating will help build up your time-off muscles: you’ll get more comfortable and confident making the affirmative choice to take larger breaks when needed.         

Some new perspective…. 

  • Without adequate downtime, it’s very hard to keep delivering on the job, or showing up the way you want to for the kids.  Think of time off as fuel for great performance – in both spheres of your life. 

  • PTO is part of your pay.  If you don’t use it, you’re effectively feeding one of your paychecks into the shredder.  

  • Taking time off is hard because you’re so diligent, responsible and committed – to your work and your family. But don’t let those incredible qualities that have fueled your success to date work against you, longer term.

  • If you find yourself deferring/delaying time off, ask yourself: how would you feel about a boss who demanded you do the same? 

For more help combining career and family: check out my complete guidebook to working parenthood, or past how-to articles, here.

For more on Workparent, read this week’s coverage of us in Inc.CNBC, and Fatherly.   

If you found this email helpful, forward this link to a fellow working parent, or post to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn:  https://www.workparent.com/articlesandadvice 

Workparent: Solutions and dignity for all working parents – and no judgments, ever.