Personally I can't relate to these particular examples, but I've been guilty as a mother. When you make desserts and the kids ask, "Is that for us?" it probably means you're baking more for social gatherings and not enough for your family.

This is such a great blog because many of my friends are over achievers and always seem to get lost in daily work loads. It is all too true the with the economy the way it is everyone is trying to stay ahead of the game, but at what cost do you get the success and profit you desire?

Work is important. At the same time we should not forget that we work to earn money to live happily with our families. So we need to spend time with family. It need not be quantity time, but it should be quality time.

I especially love what you said near the end, "family is the most important aspect of our lives." I don't think there are enough people out there living that way! Thanks for putting the humorous spin on it - I hope you get someone's attention!

You are absolutely right. I can relate to several of those!

You are so right, so many people have lost the true meaning of family and have placed more importance on work and working. There is so much more to life than meetings, and the things you mentioned. I wish the rest of America knew that.

I agree with you 100% but your blog article makes me really sad. So many kids are second in their parents life because work is the first priority.
I think as a nation we will all be better if family comes first.

I think once you start to get in the mindset that work can be treated as your secondary family, sometimes the balancing act that we all do can be easier.

Sound stuff in this blog.

I really enjoyed this blog. Being a father of two who works full-time I can understand how work can interfere with quality family time, even when you're not actively working. For example, if I've got a big deadline to meet I find myself thinking about work even when I'm at home during the weekend and playing with my kids. It's things like that that can really cause an imbalance in work-family life.

Although these seem to be extreme examples, they are very true. I like that the author points out that the simple things. like not tucking your kid in to bed, are beginning warning signs. I voted yes, maybe this will help make things clearer for those that have to balance work and family.

When I was younger, my dad has the hardest time realizing that his family needed him at home more often. The list on here is witty and cute, but very true. There are a lot of people out there that have trouble getting their priorities straight. I am the type of person that believes family will always come first, no matter what. You lose out on a lot, when you work too much. This blog just makes it work-life balance a little more clear. Good work.

When I was younger, my dad has the hardest time realizing that his family needed him at home more often. The list on here is witty and cute, but very true. There are a lot of people out there that have trouble getting their priorities straight. I am the type of person that believes family will always come first, no matter what. You lose out on a lot, when you work too much. This blog just makes it work-life balance a little more clear. Good work.

Thanks for posting this, we need to be reminded of what our priorities should be every once in a while. As someone once said, "Your job won't love you back."

Excellent article. I couldn't agree with you more! Work-Life balance is very important, i guess your life and it's relations depend on it!!

I think you need to reread my comment. I NEVER said money is a measure of happiness. Where on Earth did you get that from? I said people need to work to support their families, more so now because the economy stinks. That doesn't mean game consoles and designer clothing either - it means bread and milk.

Yes. I cannot agree more. This is a good reminder for all men and women who work very hard for the family that they become so tired when they come home to the family that they love. We should not take for granted every moment that we are blessed with them. I just started working again and it's hard for me too... but this was a good reminder to be extra good to them. Thanks!

The problem with society and how we are all raised is that we have our priorities, as you stated, all screwed up. We all need to be working to live, not living to work as the cliche goes. No matter if your family is traditional or alternative (not my words), family must come first. I believe that once you are aware of this fact, you must act. If you do not change the way you are living your life, you can be blamed for letting your family come second. We only get one chance to make a difference and enjoy this life in this particular body. Its SO important that we do not take it for granted.

This is a good reminder for anyone who has a job. It is so easy to get caught up in our work! I also love the reminder that there are some people who aren't even granted the legal right to get married and start a family.

I think your absolutely right we are working instead of spending more time with the family. I wish I didnt have to but if my family wants food on the table and a roof over there ehad its got to be. But I am gong to try to lower my hours or at least take a day off this way I can spend more time with my family

You definitely make some good points. I don't think that it necessarily stems from us always being told to succeed though. I think it has more to do with the way people measure success. Money being the main measurement. It is a tough balancing act, but I believe it comes down to priorities. You can think of it this way, there are many jobs you can succeed at, but you may only have one chance with your family.

Yep, i Agree. Family first but office doesn't have to be necessarly second, i think you can have a good balance in your life by weighting the importance and urgence of things, that way you can have a succesful career but a succesful family also! :D

It is somewhat of a vicious cycle... to provide a stable and secure home for our family we have to work.. and work very hard but the big question is where do you draw the line and when retirements comes will you have regrets...

Strongly agreed!

After all, its our family we work hard for, to get them what they need, but in the end, if we end up inching up gaps in between, we devalue our hard workings ourselves because I don's suppose that a PS3 on thanksgiving or a jewelery set on Christmas can make your loved ones more happy as compared to a smile everyday :), and I strongly disagree "whimseys" point of view, money is not what measures your happiness.

The list rather makes me laugh, but your article makes a very good point. People need to remember that we have families for a reason- and it's not to leave them alone.

You're right and I think more and more people are realizing this. Unfortunately though, the sagging economy forces a lot of people to jeopardize family time so they can actually feed their family. Hopefully, as the economy improves, our relationships will too.