The Bigger Picture Posted on December 3, 2007 Michael E. Thase (bio) examines the task of dividing time between work and family.

It’s really important for an early career investigator to always keep their eyes on the bigger picture, too. And the bigger picture in life does involve your family, your intimate relationships, importantly, the nurturance of your children.

And people do make informed choices; I have colleagues who have chosen not to have kids, because they enjoyed other aspects of their life and wanted to have the time to do that. I think if you’ve made the decision to bring kids in the world, you should make the decision to make sure that you’re there and available and participate in their lives, and not let your career dominate to the point that your own kids feel neglected.

Now likewise, if you’re in a two-career family, that means balancing your spouse’s career activities, your own career activities, the care of the children, as well as maintaining and nurturing your marriage. And there are only so many hours in a day, and missing sleep is probably not one way to, in the long run at least, get an extra two or three hours out of a day.

So I think that managing your time becomes really important. Setting times in which you never work is important. Working at home in a place that is distinct from where you live at home as a parent and as a spouse or partner, and just being clear in your communication, so that if your kids or if your spouse or partner is feeling neglected, they can tell you and that you can hear it, and that you have the opportunity to do something about it.

Not talking about it typically allows it to continue, and what is tolerable over months ultimately becomes intolerable over years. So I would say that at the end of the day, five less papers and children who feel loved and cared for is probably a better balance.

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