Taking Care of Yourself (HBR Working Parents Series)

Don't let your own needs fall by the wayside.

Take the kids to school and get to work by nine o'clock. Plan your child's birthday party while eating lunch. Reschedule your dentist appointment. Draft a report for your boss, then rush to pick up your children and start the nighttime routine. Send a few more emails before going to bed.

When in your day did you take time for yourself?

Too many working parents focus solely on those around them, completely losing sight of what they need themselves. But neglecting your own needs and wants can prevent you from being healthy, productive, and happy. Taking Care of Yourself provides expert advice to help you identify what you value most out of your work and home life, make choices that align with those values, and manage the emotions that come with them.

You'll learn to:

• Prioritize the areas of your life that are most important to you and let go of what's not
• Cope with the sacrifices you're making both at work and at home
• Deal with the feelings that come with being a working parent, including guilt
• Carve out time for your mental health and your physical well-being
• Communicate your needs and expectations with your boss and your family
• Feel more present both at work and at home

The HBR Working Parents Series supports readers as they anticipate challenges, learn how to advocate for themselves more effectively, juggle their impossible schedules, and find fulfillment at home and at work.

From classic issues such as work-life balance and making time for yourself to thorny challenges such as managing an urgent family crisis and the impact of parenting on your career, this series features the practical tips, strategies, and research you need to be and feel more effective at home and at work. Whether you're up with a newborn or touring universities with your teen, we've got what you need to make working parenthood work for you.

About the Author

Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, 12 international licensed editions, books from Harvard Business Review Press, and digital content and tools published on HBR.org, Harvard Business Review provides professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact.