Help for Workaholic Parents

The work culture is radically different than it was when I was a kid. When I was growing up, there weren't any cell-phones and most people didn't have a computer in the home. There was no email and no internet. Because of that, most of the parents that I knew had a somewhat regular work schedule. They left at a certain time, they got home at a certain time, and when they got home there was no more "work" to do.

Because of the development of smart phones, the internet, and laptop computers work follows us everywhere...that is, if we let it. Most people who fall into the category of "workaholic" would rarely admit it. However, more and more I see men and women who have no boundaries when it comes to the work they do and how it might affect their family. Here's a list (below) that I recently ran across for workaholic parents to consider. Even if you wouldn't call yourself a "workaholic," there might even be something you can learn as well.


"Things Every Workaholic Must Do*

• Give Your Kids Permission To Be Brutally Honest: Ask your kids if they think you are a workaholic. Sit there, shut your mouth and listen, really listen to their heart.
• Ask Forgiveness: I’m sorry doesn’t work! Get eye to eye, heart to heart and ask them to forgive you. Not a general I forgive you but a very specific, line item by line item.
• Ask Them To Pray For You: Right then, ask your kids to place their hand on you and pray that God would give you the power and his strength to change. (bring your kids into the process)
• Ask For Your Kid’s Help: Tell your kiddos that you are going to fail. Give them permission to lovingly and respectfully point out when you fall off the “family man bandwagon”.
• Talk To The Boss: This can be the most difficult part of the process. Sit down with your boss, share your heart and ask him/her to help you spend more time with your family. I have walked through this process personally…and it's not easy.
• Re-arrange Your Calendar: If you are married, give your wife access to your calendar. Allow her to schedule school lunches, field trips and recitals for you. If you are a single parent (I SALUTE YOU) ask a friend to hold you accountable for intentionally scheduling “kid/fam” time.
• Cell Free Zone: I have mentioned this before, but you should give your kids permission to declare a “Cell Free Zone”…maybe once or twice a week? During this time you can’t talk, text, email, glance or even have the phone on you. (you CAN do this, just make sure you have someone at work appointed to take important calls during this time)
• Computer Free Zone: Create some boundaries around taking the computer to bed with you! It seriously can mess up your sex life!
• Get Professional Help: If you truly struggle with being addicted to work, get professional help.
  
• Take This Job & Shove It: So this is a little extreme, I just love the country song. Seriously, after walking through the previous 9 steps and you’re getting no results, you might consider a career change. Please be sure to be prayerful, seek counsel and be confident God is leading you this way. A career change can be tough in any season of life, especially one where the economy is weak."
  

*Source of this list - EpicParent