October is National Work and Family Month

In October, we celebrate National Work and Family Month, a time to prioritize doing what one loves and caring for others. You can do this by caring for yourself or making quality time for your loved ones. In some cases, it could mean starting or growing a family according to your own schedule.

Nowadays, though, many workers do not have the luxury of balancing their family’s needs, particularly those related to health and caregiving. Workers must choose between paying their bills and providing for their families in times of need, due to the lack of supportive policies.

Furthermore, many workers, especially those who earn a low wage, suffer from attendance policies that punish them for taking time off work to take care of their care needs, as well as rigid or unpredictable scheduling practices that make it challenging to plan for their lives outside of work.

And that’s a shame — to put it mildly.

The Importance of Spending Time With Your Family

“As the nation’s biomedical research agency, we are committed to improving health for all Americans,” says Dr. Francis Collins, Former NIH Director. “Science has shown that our family relationships have an important effect on our physical well-being.”

Anita Vangelisti, a professor at the University of Texas and editor of the Handbook of Family Communication, writes, “Communication is what creates families. When family members communicate, they do more than send messages to each other — they enact their relationships.”

The best way to support our families is through good communication, Vangelisti says. Support systems can break down if families don’t communicate.

Vangelisti says family members can receive help in many different ways, including:

• Emotional support
• Esteem support
• Network support
• Informational support
• Tangible support

Now that you know just how important family ties are, let’s ensure you make that happen.

How to Observe National Work and Family Month

In the United States, October is National Work and Family Month. It’s an opportunity to recognize both work and family responsibilities in our lives and to support policies and practices that help employees balance them.

Observing NWFM at individual and organizational levels is possible in several ways. The following ideas may be helpful:

For individuals:

Educate yourself and others about the importance of work-family balance.

The web and libraries are full of information about work-family balance. Don’t hesitate to pass these resources on to your colleagues, friends, and family.

Be realistic about your expectations.

It is impossible to achieve a perfect work-life balance. At times, you’ll need to put in extra effort or work longer hours. However, you and your family should find a balance that’s right for you.

Prioritize your tasks.

You should make a list of all your tasks and prioritize them. Focusing on the most critical tasks will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.

Delegate tasks.

Do not hesitate to delegate tasks if you are able to do so. As a result, you will have more time to devote to the things that matter most to you.

Communicate with your employer and family.

Make sure your employer knows you value work-life balance and are dedicated to your work. Keeping your family informed about your work schedule and commitments will help them understand and support you. Creating and maintaining a shared family calendar is the fastest and easiest way to go about it.

Be sure to schedule time for self-care.

You must make time for yourself despite your busy schedule and family obligations. It may involve relaxing, taking a break, or spending time with loved ones.

Don’t miss out on work-family benefits.

There are a lot of employers who offer work-family benefits, including flexible work arrangements, paid family leave, and childcare assistance. Make sure you take advantage of these benefits if your employer offers them.

Take advantage of flexible work arrangements.

You may be able to take advantage of flexible work arrangements at your employer, including telecommuting or compressed workweeks. You will be able to manage your work and family commitments more effectively this way.

Set boundaries between work and home life.

The two should be separated clearly, even though it can be difficult. In order to do this, specific work hours could be set, emails or messages should not be checked outside of work hours, and breaks should be taken during working hours.

To celebrate National Work and Family Month, you can also do the following with your family:

• Have a family meeting. Come up with a plan for spending time together for the month based on everyone’s schedules and commitments.
• Create a family calendar. You can keep track of everyone’s appointments and activities with a calendar app.
• Plan a family outing. Visit a museum, enjoy a picnic, or go to the park.
• Play games together. Having fun while playing games with your family is a great way to bond.
• Cook dinner…