Family Man Seth Whitmer Discussing Balancing Work and Family as a Father

For the working father, the first thing he wants his family to know is that everything he is doing is to support his family. Working full-time, going for those promotions, putting in extra hours, it’s all about creating a better life for both his children and his spouse, but this isn’t always an easy thing to handle. Sometimes it seems too difficult to walk the tightrope of trying to balance both. Too much to one side or the other, and someone is settling for less. What’s the best way for fathers to approach this challenge? Seth Whitmer, a father and Executive for healthcare organizations, has the answers based on his own experiences in his fast-paced career.

Talk it Out, Establish Values

The first step in balancing your work and family is to establish clear, honest, and open communication. It’s all too easy to forget to lean into your spouse and talk things out; Talk openly about your responsibilities at work, what challenges you face and what you need help with. Set the terms for what your values are, both as individuals and as a unit. Hiram Seth Whitmer states these values demonstrate what you want to teach your children through what you do both with them and for them at home. When everyone is on the same page, it’s easier to start making plans and moving forward with them.

For the single fathers out there, a close friend can help you out with these things. Find someone that you trust through and through, both as a friend and as a mentor to your children who can support you when times are tough.

Make a Plan, Set Goals

Next, it’s very important to start making a detailed plan of what you and your spouse will take care of around the house, both in terms of upkeep and raising the kids. Much in the same way that your job establishes goals and commitments, you will want to set up goals for your home life, things that you will commit to doing when you’re not on the job. Seth Whitmer suggests you start small, adding and changing tasks in increments to find the right fit, and don’t hesitate to celebrate when you meet your goals at home.

Explore Options at Work

In the 21st century, workplaces have established better options to accommodate working parents. Hiram Seth Whitmer says you must keep yourself informed and up to date on any policies that can help you spend more time at home, such as work-from-home options, flexible hours and paternity leave. Don’t forget to keep in frequent communication with your workplace and let them know what changes you would like to make in order to better support your family. Take advantage of every option you have to maximize prioritizing your home life, no matter how big or small.

Keep Yourself in Check

At the end of the day, your mentality both at work and at home is vital to your success. When you’re at work, Seth Whitmer suggests you keep yourself focused by thinking about how you are providing support to your family by getting tasks done to the best of your ability. On the other side of that coin, when you’re off the clock and headed home, remember to try your best to keep work at work; invest in your family not just by being physically present, but also emotionally present. Listen intently to what your children and your spouse have to say, empathizing with them, celebrating their achievements and being a shoulder to cry on whenever things go wrong. Just a little bit of investment here can go a long way, and the emotional support you provide for your family helps strengthen bonds and even rebound back to you in times when you need it.

Have Fun!

The last thing to remember when you’re trying to maintain a work/life balance is to have fun! Sometimes the nature of working full-time can give you a more serious outlook on life: You’re working hard, and it wears you out at the end of the day. Even with a planned out set of goals for home life, it’s not just what you do, it’s the way that you do it. Fun is the universal language for children, and they need a home to be a relaxing place where they can simply be themselves. Every father has the ability to meet this need, easing tensions and helping both children and adults live life to the fullest.

Hiram Seth Whitmer is an executive for healthcare organizations. A visionary leader and engaging communicator, he has managed many successful turnarounds for these organizations by optimizing efficiency.