DeVry University
Letter to the Editor on Balancing Work and Family
I read a wonderful article by Teresa Welsh, the associate opinion editor at U.S. News & World Report called, “Yes, Working Parents Can Have It All”. This article confirms my belief that both parents can be successful with work and family. Parents that both works can help raise happy children by adhering to the 50/50 rule that means more than you think. I have a girlfriend that stayed home for 20 years and then entered the work arena with an 18, 16 and 12 year old still at home. She has learned the formula for making this work through trial and error. Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober are co-authors of “Getting to 50/50: How Working Parents Can Have It All” I am pleased with the questions asked of these authors as they were to the point and realistic. Women that reenter the work force often feel the need to work many hours to be as successful as men. Women who work long hours still have to go home to raise their children. The co-authors respond with letting women know that it’s not more hours that make a business successful, it’s having a team with focus, diverse voices and being well rounded at home and work that help a business thrive. Being 50/50 isn’t just the physical jobs at home or the attention given to the children. It is the mindset. American culture is changing and knowing that men and women are equally important as parents and as breadwinners is becoming more accepted. My girlfriend began her new job working many hours and getting home so tired, her children felt neglected emotionally. After her loving husband sat down with the family with a great strategy of organization and love, they are now both understanding that 50/50 means that some days are 60/40 and some are 90/10 and some really are 50/50. They were able to learn how to make it work for their family and not feel any of the common resentment or how much stress when both parents must work. I have had the opportunity to both stay home with my children and be involved with the work force and it is not an easy task. It is not easy task if you do not have the support around that you need. We do see more offices with Day Care Centers