DR. CORAL ARVON: Hi, my name is Doctor Coral Arvon. I'm a licensed clinical psychotherapist with Arvon and Associates in Counseling in Aventura, Florida. How to balance family and work? As we all know, this is very difficult but so important. When you're at work, try to answer all your e-mails, your texts, your phone calls. Take care of business at business. Try not to bring it at home with you. When you go home, this is your private sanctuary. This is a place--your castle where everybody should feel safe and happy and cozy, and when you're at home take some time for yourself. First, take 15 minutes just to unwind whether it's taking a walk, taking a bath or just having a quiet time. And then, try to prepare dinner ahead. If dinner's prepared, you wouldn't have to worry and stress over it at the last minute. Have rituals. Have the children help with the chores and have bedtime on time. You and your husband need time together. You've had a day full of work, now you need a day full of rest. You need to have some fun time together. Watch a movie. Sit back, talk. Never answer the phone at the dining room table, and kids, keep the cellphones off, too. Video games off. We need to have family time. There's a place and time for everything. Another thing you can do is make time during your day to meet your family or your kids for lunch. It doesn't have to be only after hours, and if you work at home, you can do the same thing. Put your work down and go spend time with the kids. So the five things to remember about balancing home and work are: one, don't bring your work home with you; two, finish all your e-mails and phone calls at work; three, come home, take 15 minutes to unwind and relax for yourself; four, include your kids in some of the activities during the day, take time and go to lunch with them; and five, be prepared, prepare meals so you have family time, a quite time alone together at night.
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