CWAHD.com

As the
traditional nuclear family has evolved, so has the role of Dad — men are
becoming more comfortable with the idea of being Mr. Mom to be more active in
their children’s lives. In CareerBuilder.com’s "Working Dads 2005" survey, more
than one-third of working dads report they currently spend less than two hours
with their children after work and one-half have missed at least one significant
event in their children’s lives due to work in the last year.

So what are
some options for spending more time with your kids? Would you give up a fat
paycheck to be a stay-at-home dad? Could your adjust you travel or work
schedule?

The job of stay-at-home dad is becoming increasingly attractive
to today’s fathers. More working dads say they would be willing to give up the
breadwinner role if their spouse or partner earned enough to support their
families — jumping from 43 percent in 2004 to 49 percent in 2005.

Thirty-seven percent of all working dads say they would consider taking
a new job with less pay if it offered a better work/life balance. One-in-five
would accept a pay cut of more than 5 percent and one-in-ten would accept a pay
cut of more than 10 percent.

Long days at the office and work commitments
outside of the regular 40-hour week have left one-in-four working dads
dissatisfied with their work/life balance. Thirty-six percent of working dads
report they bring work home at least one day a week and 30 percent say they
often or always work weekends.

To better manage personal and
professional calendars, working dads say they have taken advantage of work style
adjustments such as flexible schedules, telecommuting, and attending their
children’s events during the work day. Ninety percent report these adjustments
have not negatively impacted their career progress.

Here are some tips to
help working dads gain a healthier work/life balance:

Earn the
right.
Before you approach your supervisor about implementing a more
flexible work arrangement, you have to earn the right to do so. Work hard and
establish yourself as a top player for the company and then propose an altered
work schedule when the employer sees the value you consistently deliver.

Be strategic in your schedule.
It’s better
to work one night until 9 p.m. and arrive home on time every other work day than
work until 7 p.m. three or four nights a week.

Organize and
compartmentalize.
Set aside one night a week or a month to get organized
at work. If you take work home with you, make sure your kids don’t see it. Check
e-mails after bedtime. When you’re home, it’s all about them.

Get
involved.
Introduce yourself to your child’s teacher and ask for e-mail
updates on his/her progress. Volunteer your time where you can spend it with
your kids - whether it’s joining Scouts or coaching a team or participating at a
school function.

Make time.
At least once a week, schedule a
family activity that involves interaction. Try to get out of the house and take
your family for a bike ride, trip to the playground, trip to a museum,
etc.