I Don’t Know How She Does It, the latest ‘romcom’ starring Sarah Jessica Parker, based on a book of the same name by Allison Pearson, features a high-flying finance professional struggling to juggle a demanding job with the needs of her family.
There are many working women who will identify with this film, recognising the pressure to match up to both the role of “ideal mother” and “ideal professional”. So how do they do it – and more importantly how can you do it?
- Find out about your company’s flexible or remote working policies. Many employers are becoming far more enlightened about the importance of retaining their female talent and even if there isn’t an official policy, you may be surprised at what they are willing to do to keep you.
- Let go of the idea of being perfect. The reality is that few people have the balance completely right. Take things day by day and assess your priorities. Most employers will understand if you take time off for a school assembly – and most families will understand that mum has to work.
- Build a support network. There are countless women going through the trials of balancing work and family life. Many people make the mistake of believing that they are alone in finding the juggling act tricky – but attending women’s business networking events or even forming a support group within your own company can be a real eye opener.
- Don’t hold back. So many women are reluctant to put themselves forward for a promotion, fearing that it may affect their family commitments. However, don’t let that fear blind you from some potentially fantastic opportunities. Not all career advancements mean longer hours; some may even put you in a position to better manage your time. So know your worth and don’t be afraid to climb the career ladder.
Do you have any advice on achieving a good work-life balance or any anecdotes to share? We want to hear what you think! How easy does your employer make it for you to balance work and family?