Many women today constantly worry and ask themselves, “Are my career and children in conflict with one another?” Women now dominate the workplace, and at the same time they want their children to thrive. That tension creates guilt and lack of faith. Women wonder, “Is my success at work disrupting my children’s development?”

The key to overcoming this worry and fear is to stop multitasking – it doesn’t work, and to be present in the moment. In other words, when you’re with your children, really be with them. Make it quality time and connect at a deeper level. As a former teacher one pet-peeve that would upset me is when a child waited all day to see their parent and the parent shows up to pick up the child with a phone on the ear – not connecting with their “eager-to-see and love-you- child” .

Turn off the cell phone, computer and television so that you can devote all your attention to your children. Read to your child, go on great adventures together – even if that’s just consist of a trip through the backyard, and always tell them how much you love them. Do whatever you can to build memories with them.

If you’re going away on a business trip:

• make a calendar
• for the two weeks leading up to the trip
• mark off the days together

This will help young children understand how days begin and end so that your time away won’t seem so long. Older children will experience less anxiety while you’re away because they’ll have had adequate preparation for the deployment. Then, while you’re away, set a time each day to do video conference calls (https://www.skype.com) with your children.

If you don’t travel but must work long hours, having a daily video conference with your children is a great way to build connection during the day. Ultimately, the more love and connection children feel, the less worry and fear you will have about impeding your children’s development.

Peace & Harmony ~ Cheryl