Balancing Work and Parenthood: Tips for Full-Time Employees

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores how full-time employees with children manage their Pampered Chef business alongside their busy schedules. Participants share various strategies and personal experiences related to balancing work, family, and business commitments.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, discusses using a calendar to mark personal commitments and booking dates, finding sticky notes helpful for visualizing open dates.
  • Another participant shares a similar organizational approach, emphasizing the importance of staying organized while managing full-time work and family responsibilities.
  • Several users mention the necessity of planning their schedules in advance, with one participant highlighting the use of color-coded calendars to differentiate between show dates and personal days.
  • One participant notes the challenges of unexpected work demands affecting their planned show dates, indicating that flexibility is sometimes required.
  • Another participant, who does not have children, describes their experience balancing a full-time job and school, using a similar scheduling method to ensure they can manage their commitments effectively.
  • One participant expresses a desire for more bookings and shares their experience of recruiting potential hosts, indicating that finding hosts can be challenging in their area.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the ease of balancing commitments, with some participants expressing confidence in their scheduling methods while others acknowledge the difficulties of unexpected changes.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences that reflect a range of family dynamics and work situations, illustrating the diverse challenges faced by full-time employees in the consultant community.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to consultants who are balancing full-time jobs and family responsibilities, as well as those seeking organizational strategies for managing their business commitments.

twinkie10
twinkie10
Gold Member
Messages
468
For those of you who work full time and have kids, how do you balance your business with a busy schedule?
 
I mark my calendar with what I have to do personally then fill in with dates I want to book. I use sticky notes to mark my open dates so that I can actually see which days and how many I can fill. Plus it makes it easier to book dates I want to book.
 
wadesgirl said:
I mark my calendar with what I have to do personally then fill in with dates I want to book. I use sticky notes to mark my open dates so that I can actually see which days and how many I can fill. Plus it makes it easier to book dates I want to book.
Click to expand...

I do the same thing... sticky notes also make it easier to move a party when needed.
 
I use a similar system - it's imperative to stay organized when you work FT, have kids and do PC, too. I pencil in everything on my calendar, and circle my "open" dates (or dates I want to do a show). I then cross the dates out when they are filled, so when I show my calendar to people, they see X's and circles - I tell them to pick a circled date - easy! :)
 
what they said...and believe me it's great to get out of the house and have some grownup time once or twice a week!
 
You don't have to have kids to be busy!

I do most of my shows on weekends ... but it is hard to get in the time to make calls!
 
I use my office outlook, and One note, I am sort of a computer nerd, it's the same as using sticky notes, but easier to get rid of...
 
I'm with the rest of the gang! You must have your schedule planned out! I use my monthly pages to plan out my month and highlight days in different colours (I like colours!! ;))....pink is for show dates, blue is for personal days and green is for my compressed days off.

I will do shows every Monday, Wednesday, every second Friday and every second Saturday. I don't do Sundays, that's my family day. I won't work 2 days in a row either....did that once, but it was too hard getting all my stuff ready again for the next night, since I get home around 10:30pm and have to get up at 5:30am!!

I used to say I would do shows whenever, but find that since I've set a definite schedule, it's a lot easier and makes me feel like I'm a lot more productive. It's nice too to be able to give people a specific date rather than asking what works for them. I don't want my hosts deciding my schedule!!

Hope that helps! :)
 
But you know what, as much as they TALK about having your calendar mapped out, sometimes it isn't that easy.

For instance, I know at the end of the month which weekend I'll be working ... but often I don't know until the Thursday or Friday before which week NIGHT I'll be working.

I've had shows planned on Fridays before, only to be asked by my employers to work that night because somebody is off.
 
Di_Can_Cook said:
But you know what, as much as they TALK about having your calendar mapped out, sometimes it isn't that easy.

For instance, I know at the end of the month which weekend I'll be working ... but often I don't know until the Thursday or Friday before which week NIGHT I'll be working.

I've had shows planned on Fridays before, only to be asked by my employers to work that night because somebody is off.
Click to expand...

That would be tricky! I'm lucky to have set hours! :)
 
I always have my At A Glance Planner with me to write down everything children related so that when someone contacts me to book a show I know exactly what dates are open. I have never had a scheduling conflict...yet. My job is a set schedule which is nice and my kids are now 16 and 14 so I don't have to worry about them as much. Well, maybe more in other ways. :p
 
I don't have kids but when I started PC not quite a year ago I was working full time and going to school full time plus I had just gotten married. My work schedule varies from week to week but I let my supervisor know that I needed my work schedules ahead of time (even before I started PC I requested this...I need to be able to look ahead and at least have some idea of what I'm going to be doing) so I block out time for my husband, time for work, and time for classes and then select days that I would like to do shows (overbook). I use highlighters too...green for days I want to do shows, blue for personal days, nothing for days that are just crazy and I know I'll be working/studying from morning to night. Just graduated from college and planning on doing the same thing even though my work schedule will be more consistant now.
 
Kudos to you Egresi ...what a heavy schedule but you are able to work it all out! Awesome!
 
I need help getting bookings...that is the hardest part for me. I talk to everyone about the business...I even have two potential recruits...and they are people I have met on another site earlier this year and have never met in person...and one has held a catalog show for me and is really considering signing and there is another girl that is considering signing...I qualified in my first 30 days on May 30....I just need ideas for locking in/searching for hosts....that is hard for me...I think that people down here in the south don't like to host parties!!

I work FT and have and 11 year old and a 2 1/2 yr. old....I would LOVE to be able to build my business and leave my state job within the next 2 yrs.

Please send ideas!

Trina
 
tmo2008 said:
I need help getting bookings...that is the hardest part for me. I talk to everyone about the business...I even have two potential recruits...and they are people I have met on another site earlier this year and have never met in person...and one has held a catalog show for me and is really considering signing and there is another girl that is considering signing...I qualified in my first 30 days on May 30....I just need ideas for locking in/searching for hosts....that is hard for me...I think that people down here in the south don't like to host parties!!

I work FT and have and 11 year old and a 2 1/2 yr. old....I would LOVE to be able to build my business and leave my state job within the next 2 yrs.

Please send ideas!

Trina
Click to expand...

Get the Move It Don't Lose It CD that Morfia did or something similar...those CDs have great booking ideas.
 
twinkie10 said:
For those of you who work full time and have kids, how do you balance your business with a busy schedule?
Click to expand...

I worked 4 days a week when I first started PC. I put EVERYTHING on my calendar. There would be certain days I knew we would be doing things as a family and I NEVER agree to do a part on that date no matter if that is the ONLY day someone can do a show. I did not do anymore shows than I felt comfortable being away from my family. I tried to not have parties on Sat or never do them on Sunday b/c that is the main days we spend time as a family and when we go to church.

Now that I work 3 days after having my 2nd child, I am going to only do shows on Monday b/c I am off with my kids all day and then do not feel bad about leaving them. I do not want to do a show on Tues or Thurs when I am working b/c that would make me away from them pretty much all day. I never do Wed b/c of church. After football season is over, I will do shows on Monday and Friday since those are the two days I do not work my day job.

I keep my calendar in a day planner that shows the entire month and I have it in my Blackjack so that I always have it with me in case I am somewhere that I am not carrying my day planner around and I need to make and appointment or write something done. And I mean everything is on that calendar so I always know what I am doing on a certain date. I think I need to start syncing it to my husband's phone so he knows to and does not have to call me to see if we already have plans, ha!
 
Great ideas! I would also like to add...

In addition to scheduling show dates, schedule office hours as well. By doing that you will work all of the aspects of your business. Definitely schedule your personal and family time first!
 
janetupnorth said:
Get the Move It Don't Lose It CD that Morfia did or something similar...those CDs have great booking ideas.
Click to expand...

Where do I get that DVD/CD?
 
They're usually available on a supply order.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I effectively manage my time as a full-time employee and a parent?

Effective time management is crucial for balancing work and parenthood. Start by prioritizing your tasks using a planner or digital calendar. Set specific work hours and stick to them, while also allocating dedicated time for family activities. Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and use tools like timers to stay focused. Remember to be flexible and adjust your schedule as needed to accommodate unexpected events.

What strategies can I use to reduce stress while balancing work and family life?

To reduce stress, establish a routine that includes time for self-care, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies. Communicate openly with your employer about your needs and seek flexible work arrangements if possible. Delegate household responsibilities to other family members and consider hiring help for chores when feasible. Taking regular breaks during work hours can also help you recharge and maintain a positive mindset.

How can I ensure quality time with my children despite a busy work schedule?

Quality time can be prioritized by scheduling regular family activities, such as game nights or weekend outings. Even short, intentional moments like cooking together or reading before bed can strengthen your bond. Make it a point to be present during these times by putting away distractions like phones and focusing on your children. Consistency is key, so try to create a routine that includes these moments in your week.

What should I do if I feel guilty about not spending enough time with my kids?

Feeling guilty is common among working parents. Acknowledge your feelings but remind yourself that providing for your family is also an important role. Focus on the quality of time spent together rather than the quantity. Engage in meaningful conversations and activities during the time you do have. Additionally, consider talking to other parents or a counselor to share experiences and strategies for coping with these feelings.

How can I communicate my work-life balance needs to my employer?

Start by preparing for a conversation with your employer by outlining your needs and how they can benefit both you and the company. Be clear about your desired work arrangements, whether it’s flexible hours, remote work, or reduced hours. Approach the discussion with a positive attitude and be open to compromise. Highlight your commitment to your job and how a better work-life balance can enhance your productivity and job satisfaction.

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