HOW CAN YOU FIND A JOB AND KEEP YOUR FAMILY HAPPY?

HOW TO GET A JOB WITHOUT LOSING YOUR FAMILY

Photo from:  http://www.morguefile.com/creative/doctor_bob

One of the hardest things about being out of work is the loss of a regular schedule.  Think about it – when you are working your entire life revolves around working.  Any significant change in your work s impacts not only you but your family.  Financially…sure, but also emotionally.

Your spouse and children may suffer from the negative effects from your lack of schedule more than you do.  Or, the effects may be less apparent or seemingly unconnected to these changes.

As a job seeker, you may work diligently to get all your job searching done while your loved ones are at work or school.  This may or may not be helpful.

INCLUDE YOUR FAMILY IN YOUR JOB SEARCH TO REDUCE STRESS

The unknown can be a major stress, especially for children.  They may be able to verbalize you are not working right now.  They may even be able to understand that you are looking for work and working hard at it. But, children will tend to act out what they don’t understand or know how to deal with.

If your children are acting out or express any negative effects from your current situation, it can cause additional stress on your spouse or your relationship.  Spouses want to be supportive and helpful.  Your spouse may even bend over backwards to smooth things over.

This can be true even if you are working.  When one spouse has a more demanding career or is less able to gather the stamina to deal with balancing work and family life, then the other often rallies to the task. 

“Don’t confuse having a career with having a life” – Hillary Clinton

Work-Life balance can be as difficult as a tightrope walk on the best of days.  If you are unemployed, these are likely NOT the best of days.  So, you may need to focus more on the emotional support of your family than you would have if you were working.  Here is a great resource for managing stress: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/stress/

HOW CAN YOU FIND A JOB AND KEEP YOUR FAMILY HAPPY?

Working is easier to understand than not working, but busy.  Helping your family understand what you are doing to find a job may make it a little easier to understand that your job now is to find a job. Easier said than done, of course!

There are a few things you can do ..... Read more: 
Job Search for the Rest of Us!: Monday Mission November 26, 2012