Your kids want to play with you but you have to work....

[Lifehack.org]( Communicate & Set Expectations Acknowledge their needs and express your own. Let your kids know when you are available and when you are not. [Share Today's Tip With a Friend]( Hi there, Do you ever feel like you're caught between a rock and a hard place when your children demand your attention but you have work to do? As a working parent, I understand the emotional tug of war that comes with juggling work and family responsibilities. It's particularly difficult if you work from home like I do. When my kids finish school, they immediately seek my attention and companionship. It's difficult not to feel conflicted and guilty when I have to turn them down, but I also feel terrible when I don't complete necessary business tasks. It's a never-ending struggle that can make you feel like you're failing on all fronts. Ignoring your children's requests and focusing solely on work may appear to be the simplest option, but it can cause distance and strain in your relationship with them. While you may be meeting your work obligations, you may also be missing out on priceless moments with your kids that you will never be able to relive. I've created an Action Sheet with practical strategies and scripts to help you navigate this difficult situation with confidence and ease. These strategies have been tried and tested by other working parents who have successfully balanced their work and family commitments. You can enjoy the best of both worlds by using these tips to maintain a healthy balance between your responsibilities and your relationship with your children. The Action Sheet covers 3 key strategies: 1. Communicate effectively with your children. Listen to what they have to say and express your understanding of how they feel. At the same, express your own needs and let them know that you are working and cannot give them your undivided attention at that time. For example, if your child asks you to play with them while you are working on something important, you can say something like, "I'd love to play with you, but I need to finish this task first. What about we play after I'm done?" This shows that you recognize their request and establishes a clear boundary that work must come first at that time. 2. Set boundaries and expectations. Let your kids know when you are available and when you are not. This helps them manage their expectations and avoids interruptions during work hours. For example, you could tell your kids that you have set work hours and that you will not be interrupted unless there is an emergency. You can also set up a signal for your kids to use when they need your attention, such as knocking on your office door or leaving a message on your work phone. This way, you can effectively manage interruptions without feeling guilty or frustrated. 3. Find ways to balance work and playtime. You can, for example, plan your work hours around your children's school schedules or extracurricular activities, giving you more time to spend with them outside of work. By using the Action Sheet's tips and scripts, you'll be able to maintain a healthy balance between your responsibilities and your relationship with your children I've shared this Action Sheet with our community.... If you want to learn more useful productivity hacks and gain access to exclusive content like this, [join LifeHack's Community]( You'll get regular updates, useful resources, and support from a community of like-minded people. Cheers, Leon Founder & CEO@LifeHack Join us at LifeHack to work smarter and get more done together. LifeHack is the only productivity platform that gives you everything you need to make time work for you without making you feel insufficient to reach your goals. We're all in it together! [Join Our Community]( [Share This Email With a Friend]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Youtube]( [Pinterest]( Sent to: {EMAIL} [Unsubscribe]( Lifehack, Unit 33554, PO Box 6945,, London, W1A 6US, United Kingdom