| Betty is a divorced soccer mom with five kids. She | | | | often driven by their personal schedules or their |
| works to make ends meet. She loves her summers | | | | children's schedules instead of a balanced approach. |
| because it is less hectic for her. During the school year, | | | | This leaves parents scrambling to find a happy |
| she fights a torturing schedule of kids' activities. | | | | medium between their personal ambitions and the |
| Tomorrow will begin in another school year. She | | | | well-being of the overall family structure. Today's |
| wonders if her life will ever change. | | | | children are so busy that they need their own |
| Introduction | | | | blackberries to keep up with their schedules. This |
| Although the summer is almost over, the temperature | | | | example was set by watching their own parents. |
| just got hotter. With the news that Republican vice | | | | Therefore, parents must find a healthy balance |
| presidential candidate Sarah Palin's 17-year-old | | | | between family and work life. As a matter of fact, |
| daughter was pregnant, it set off a media frenzy and | | | | parent must ensure that personal activities do not |
| has ignited political warfare between liberals and | | | | destabilize family relationships. The following are helpful |
| conservatives. The fundamental question that is being | | | | tips for parents with active children to ensure a |
| raised is "can a mother of five which includes a | | | | successful school year: |
| pregnant teenager and a special needs infant take on | | | | - Plan ahead. Develop a strategy for dealing with |
| such a demanding position in America?" This question | | | | family issues beforehand. |
| has great debaters on both sides of the aisle. | | | | - Prioritize. Determine what's really important to you |
| However, I think many individuals are missing one key | | | | and your family members. |
| point in this sensitive issue. In order to achieve one's | | | | - Goal. Develop individual's goals that do not conflict |
| personal ambition, what sacrifice is he or she willing to | | | | with your family objectives. |
| make? Throughout history, great heroes have | | | | - Family calendar. Establish a family calendar to better |
| mastered great achievements. However, they have | | | | schedule events around your family. |
| sacrificed their families. American heroes like Ronald | | | | - Listen. Take the time to listen to each other away |
| Reagan and JF Kennedy were not known as the | | | | from distractions. |
| greatest fathers. This question should be asked of all | | | | - Say "No." Learn to reject those things that do not |
| ambition seekers who are parents. The question is | | | | add value to your family. |
| actually gender neutral. | | | | - Family time. Set aside a specific period to focus on |
| Are parents prepared for this school year? Managing | | | | family needs. |
| family time is an important part of preparation. Many | | | | - Children activities. Set a limit on children activities for |
| people get overwhelmed with balancing work and | | | | the season. |
| family; they can obtain a big dose of "Back-to-School" | | | | - Commitment. Don't over-commit yourself to too |
| Blues. Parents are feeling even more pressure as | | | | many activities. |
| school systems continue to shorten the summer | | | | - Mental time. Be sure to set aside time for yourself. |
| breaks. According to a Marketing Data Retrieval study, | | | | Conclusion |
| the percentage of school openings before September | | | | As the politics continue to be played at the expense of |
| 1st rose from 51% in 1988 to 76% in 2000; this analysis | | | | Sarah Palin's family, each parent in America should |
| represented all 14,300 public school districts. Many | | | | stop and evaluate their own situation. While life may be |
| parents are burnt out and need better tools to cope | | | | slowing down for some people in this country, many |
| with their increasingly difficult schedules. The survey | | | | parents operate at a hectic pace to pursue the |
| noted that one-half of workers reported that they feel | | | | American Dream...at any cost. Parents need to regain |
| a great deal of job stress. In fact, this fast pace is | | | | control of their families. Managing a family can be a |
| destroying family life. Forty-four percent of working | | | | difficult task, especially during the early school year. |
| moms admitted being preoccupied with work while at | | | | However, with the proper amount of planning, parents |
| home; thirty-six of working dads reported they bring | | | | and children can both enjoy a productive year. |
| work home at least once a week. This article provides | | | | America depends on strong families because the |
| insight for overcoming the stresses of managing a | | | | home is the basic foundation for society. Therefore, |
| hectic school life for working parents. | | | | strong families should properly balance work to help |
| Possible Solutions | | | | foster stronger communities. By adequately preparing |
| The question that many families battle with is, "how do | | | | activities and setting priorities, parents can minimize the |
| we balance work and family life?" Many parents are | | | | pressures of a new school year. It is not too late to |
| so obsessed with climbing the corporate ladder that | | | | regain control. |
| they fail to realize their family is suffering. Individuals are | | | | |