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You've just tidied you desk at the end of another busy day. You're racing out of the office to get home to see the kids. Then you hear those dreaded words. "Have you got a minute?" It's the boss and he doesn't really mean a minute. No, he wants you to stay behind for another hour.

We hear increasingly about work-life balance. A boss who tries to abuse your willingness to work hard doesn't seem to think the term applies to you. But you have to be brave and firm. Politely let him know that whatever it is can wait until tomorrow. You have finished for the day and your time now belongs to you and your family.

As a father and an employee, you have important commitments. You are obligated to give one hundred per cent effort at work. After all, that's what you get paid for. But you have another life outside the office. You are also obligated to give one hundred per cent at home.

Here are some tips for balancing those demands on your time and effort:

*Separate the two responsibilities. When you are at work, then you must concentrate on what brings in the money. Don't ring home every five minutes to talk to your partner or the kids. Equally, once you have finished in the office for the day, don't take work home with you. Your daily shift should give you enough time to complete the tasks you have to do. Don't let things overflow into your private, family life.

*Make sure you take your annual leave during the school vacation so you can spend it with the kids. Make it abundantly clear that you don't want work colleagues contacting you. If there is a problem, it will have to wait.

*Teamwork among parents is vital. When you get in from work, both parents will be tired. But the show must go on. So make the evening meal together. Both of you have to muck in with the chores. When they are old enough, get the kids involved in helping out as well.

*If you must have a moan about work, don't do it in front of the kids. Wait until they have gone to bed and take time to talk about your day with your partner.

*Plan your time with the kids in advance. Make sure your weekends are full of fun and educationally beneficial things. You'll find you look forward to going back to work on Mondays after a hectic weekend schedule. You will also look forward to your weekends while you are at work!

*Work and the kids are important. But never forget your wife or partner. They are also important. Set aside time together at the end of each day. Keep the romance alive. Make sure she doesn't feel excluded by your commitments to work and the kids. Get a babysitter and go out together at least a couple of times a month.

*Every time you feel things are getting too much for you, think how lucky you are. You have been blessed with kids. You are fortunate enough to have a job. Stress the positives in your life.

Learn more about this author, Phil Hill.
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