I’ve been reading articles online about how more and more dads are unhappy with their work/life balance. It seems like around 65% feel that they work too much. In my opinion, it boils down to societal expectations and maybe more specifically, wanting to maintain a certain level of affluence (keeping up with the Jones’). To me, it makes more sense to be happy with my work/life balance and not have a new SUV, huge TV, newest smart phone, etc… Not that those things are inherently bad, just if they get in the way.
So, I propose that more dads (and moms for that matter) should consider working part time.
But what about health insurance and retirement plans? Don’t you want to have a house, go on trips, and send your kids to college?
Well, yes. But, I think there is more fat that can be trimmed in most people’s budgets than they realize. Our family has been doing this over the last year and has managed to trim a few hundred dollars and we’ve got plans to trim a few hundred more over the next year. Add all this up and we’re talking about several thousand dollars of savings. So, my answer to that is: Yes, we need health insurance and retirement plans, but at what cost? And who says the cost of paying for these things out of pocket isn’t worth the extra time I can spend with my family?
Maybe it won’t work for every family, maybe not even mine. But I also know I don’t want to look back in 20 years and realize that my kids and wife grew up disconnected from me the majority of the time. I think I’d kick myself if I didn’t give it a shot.
So, unlike most of my ideas (90% of which I don’t post and you should be thankful), I’d really love your feedback. So be anonymous, I don’t care. But please respond if you have thoughts!
Derek
