Are You Working Too Much?

February 7, 2012 at 8:29 am , by Allison Winn Scotch

Today’s post comes from a question my friend, Kayt Sukel, posed to me on Twitter: how do you know or how does your child let you know that you’re working too much? Which is an ever-present balance/problem that many working parents face today. I surveyed everyone on Twitter to get some great responses. In our house, I know that I’m too distracted when my kids complain that I’m on my phone too much or when they have to repeat their questions to me more than once. (You know: “Mom, mom, mom? MOM? MOOOOOOOOM?) When that happens, I purposely put the phone down, away from me, and give them my undivided attention.

Here are some other thoughts:

From @LisaRomeo: He mimics me – and then when I tell him to get off the computer, he says, “but you’re on the computer all the time.” (Good one!)

From @rlbrewer: When the child would rather spend time with another adult than you. (Ugh, stake through the heart!) 

From @kaytsukel: When he gets into bed with me. (Aw, that’s cute. I’m sorry but I’d like that!)

From @suzannelilly: Mine has turned the screen off. That’s a teen for you.

From @brendajanowitz: My toddler grabs my iPhone and puts it back into my diaper bag! “No phone!” he tells me as he puts it away.

From @tcausley: When your 8yo has been talking non-stop about that morning you volunteered in his class…2 years ago. #momworkstoomuch

From @jeannieinOhio: I once came home from work and my son said, “I remember you. Didn’t you use to live here?” Started looking for new job the next day.

From @MatthewDicks: She grabs my hand and pulls me away from the computer. “Stop writing your book, Daddy.”

So what about you guys? What is the sure sign in your household that you’re working too much?

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