Work/Life Balance is for Both Moms AND Dads!

Over the past year, Sheryl Sandberg has worked tirelessly to redefine the modern perception of the “Working Mom.” As the Facebook COO, she is not only an influential businesswoman, but also a successful mother of two, passionate about empowering women and changing the perception of the working woman. As a co-founder of LeanIn.Org, a non-profit that focuses on empowering women in their chosen careers, Sheryl Sandberg is a respected voice for women in the workplace.

This year, LeanIn.Org took the annual “Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day” as an opportunity to start a national conversation about why women still lag behind men in leadership positions. We all know that the balancing act between our careers and our family prove delicate and difficult, but that struggle should not only be reserved for moms. Dads have to figure out (and help with) the balance as well, and be held to equal standards not only in the workplace, but also as equally-weighted parents of our next generation.

Sandberg stated, “If the people who are running companies are focused on being not just great workers but great parents, we’ll provide more flexibility to everyone.” Dads shouldn’t be afraid to talk about their children at work. Good parenting leads to more well-rounded individuals, better leaders, and a more open, honest, and successful workplaces that we can all be proud of, and be proud of showing to our own children!

Men are key in this fight for gender equality in the workplace. Sandberg believes it is important that company leaders make a point to talk about the time they spend out of the office with their children and families to set an example for other employees. Even as COO, Sandberg is open about the priority she places on her children, and leaves the office around 5:30 pm to spend time with her two children.

At Mom Central, we know we constantly talk about children, families, and that work and life balancing act. But even we get caught up in our corporate lives, between emails, meetings, business trips, checking email after-hours, and lengthy to-do lists. We challenge you to join us in being open to talking about our lives outside the office walls, and to ask our male colleagues (and our husbands and partners) to do the same.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Samantha Middleton

My first love is for coffee, and my second for bookstores. I love buying books but not always reading them, identify as a true snow bunny, and find nothing more centering than meditation that seems to always turn into a nap. Writing is a fearful passion of mine but also a source of great joy, especially when that writing involves a delicious recipe or a good pun.