Balancing the Back-to-School, Back-to-Work

Aug. 21, 2006 — -- As summer vacations wrap up, the realities of heading back to work can bring added stress to parents. While moms and dads are often eager to reconnect with friends and co-workers, September typically signals the end of lighter workloads and half-day Fridays. Not only are parents adjusting to a new school year, but kids must also cope with their folks' fall routine.

To minimize the anxiety for both you and your little ones, there are some simple coping mechanisms to consider. Keep in mind that what works for one family doesn't necessarily translate to success for another. People and households require their own solutions to satisfy their needs, so be willing to try different things until you discover what works best for you.

Share Your Work
Work is a big part of who you are, so be proud to share that with your family. Let them know about your tasks and responsibilities, along with your accomplishments. If they're old enough to recognize that you're going off to work, your kids should understand the basics of your choice of employment.

During an afternoon play date, my daughter Emma's best friend, Juliet, proudly announced that her mom, a partner at a New York law firm, was at a hearing. "I really hope she wins big because she worked so hard preparing until very late at night," cheered 8-year-old Juliet. The girls dressed up as lawyers and attempted to stage the courtroom scene as they imagined it.

That sweet exchange and others like it prompted me to create a line of kids' T-shirts supporting working moms. One rhinestone-studded style reads, "My mom works and I'm proud of her." The other simply says, "My mom brings home the bacon."

Through candid conversations, encourage your kids to honor the work you do, just as you celebrate their academic careers. They should be proud of your professional endeavors and root for your workplace success.

Prep Tour Kids Properly

While it's impossible for a 2-year-old to comprehend that Daddy has a business dinner tomorrow night, older children appreciate the head's up. I learned this the hard way. Until a couple years ago, I thought it was best not to alert my 9-year-old twins, Jake and Emma, about upcoming business trips --