important to have high, but realistic,
expectations to simplify life and manage
the responsibilities of a dual-career family.
Make Decisions Proactively
It is important to maintain control of
life and decision making, rather than
allowing the pace of life to dictate what
happens. Having a clear sense of priorities
can be a guide for decisions regarding
marriage, children, family, and career. It is
important for both spouses to be involved
in decision making and maintain open
communication between each other. It is
also important to keep the big picture in
sight. This provides a sense of direction
for life and facilitates decision making.
Value TimeAwareness of the value of time, and
viewing it as a window of opportunity, can
assist in creating balance and happiness in
the family. Viewing time as a sacred
commodity allows couples to protect and
choose wisely how to use time. While
remaining conscious of time, it is
important to live in the moment, making
the most of every day.Families and Work: The Juggling ActOver the course of the past century,
much of the balancing act between work
and family has centered on power
struggles. Most often, research indicates
the primary struggle as occurring
between husbands and wives. As wives
contribute more income to their families,
their bargaining power increases. Men
today contribute more help with
childcare and domestic duties than
previous generations of men. Still, many
women experience frustration that they
continue to perform the lion’s share ofthese duties. Household duties can
sometimes detract from more important
concerns, such as quality time with
family, family devotions, church
activities, and special events. Parents need
to focus on activities which will endure,
rather than on those which are all
products of vanity. Showing off a
beautiful house is not nearly as
important as working to be the family
God calls us to be.
Much of modern family history has
occurred in the shadow of women
demanding “equal power.” The BalswicksA Christian Perspective