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Derive Meaning from Work

This can be an important part of the
success in dual-income families. Spouses
need to sense enjoyment and purpose
from their professional pursuits. This
creates energy and enthusiasm, which
limits work related fatigue and burnout.

Maintain Work Boundaries

When couples maintain the family as
priority, it will guide their decisions about
how much effort to expend, and what
work position would best support this
priority. It is important for couples to
maintain control over their work, rather
than allowing their work to maintain
control over them. There should be a
conscious concerted effort to set clear
boundaries on work and professional
commitments.

Focus and Produce at Work

While work-related boundaries are
important, it is also important to be
productive while at work. Being
productive at work can also make it easier
to negotiate support from employers
regarding limiting work hours. It is
important to learn that when you are at
work, you are at work, and when you are
at home, you are at home.

Prioritize Family Fun

Despite busy schedules, it is important

to schedule family fun time. This allows

families to stay connected, relax, and enjoy

each other, which reduces the stress of

managing multiple responsibilities.

Having a sense of humor and the ability

to laugh at life promotes a family

atmosphere of fun.

Take Pride in Dual Earning

It is important to believe dual earning

is positive for all members of the family.

Rejecting societal messages regarding

working parents is an important part of

this. Couples in the study did not feel

guilty about not spending every minute

engaging their children in quality time

because they felt they had a good balance

of time with their children, time in

household chores, and time together as a

couple.

Live Simply

Simplifying life can be beneficial in

balancing work and family. This can be

accomplished in several ways. One, it is

important to restrict those activities which

limit family time, such as television and

extracurricular activities. Second, it is

important to control spending so life is not

full of unnecessary expenses. Third, it is

Chapter 9