We all have heard the phrase: work/life balance. But in real life, it doesn’t work like that. You need to adjust the scales as necessary. Instead of balance, find harmony.

How can you raise great kids when you are an entrepreneur or business owner? How do you know what you need to give to your family?

Treat your kids just as good and with as much time and respect as you do your clients! When you are so focused on work, you forget and neglect people in your life. We need to prioritize our relationships. We choose to have kids, so we have to set time aside for them. Time we spend with our kids needs to be quality time. We need to let them know we care and are there to listen to them. The time that you build with your child builds bonds and relationships. That time will pay dividends down the road.

Be a role model. Show them that you have a purpose in life – at work and at home. Instill your values in your kids and that will help them when making decisions. You want your kids to grow up to be creative, innovative, as well as able to express themselves and make smart choices.

Also, create a ritual of having a family meeting on a regular basis to identify your family values and mission. Then all family decisions are based on them. Put in the same effort you put into a business!

Next, how can you give your employees a better life? More time at home? A positive work culture?

* Create environments that are family friendly.

* Create a mission statement and set of values that are family friendly.

These efforts make better people and better employees!

About Deborah:

Deborah C. Owen is an author, speaker, and parent and life coach in Massachusetts. She also earned National Board Certification after many years as a public school library teacher. Combining her personal experience of raising three children to young adulthood, along with her years of working with teens in public schools, Deborah is now a parent coach.

This role helps her have greater impact on the success and well-being of kids, by empowering their parents with effective parenting skills. Deborah is the Founder of YouCanRaiseGreatKids.com and is available for coaching and speaking appointments. Her book is Social Media Fascination.

Challenged Issue:

In this podcast, we challenge the issue of how to raise great kids will running a business, as well as how to spend more time at home and build better relationships with your kids that will help you to be more effective at work.

Deborah’s Actionable Tips:

* Manage your own emotions before helping your child calm down. Use the A to E method of calm parenting in the heat of the moment.

A - Aware

B - Breathe

C - Calmly connect; go to ZEN place

D - Discuss – Once calm, what was the trigger? “I notice that when…then you…”

E - Empathize - “Yes, that sounds like it must be frustrating for you.” Or, “I understand that that might make someone upset.” Everyone wants to be heard!

* Re-establish the relationship with your child based on better connection. Here's how to connect.

- Don't offer advice or judgment; offer empathy and active listening!

- Rather than focusing on outcomes, focus on process: “That sounds like it was hard. Was it a good test?”; “Where did you get stuck?”; “I loved how you really hustled on the field!”; “I know you have been working really hard at this.”; and “When were you most focused while you were preparing?”

- When asked for advice, ask: “What have you already tried?” When have you faced a similar problem and solved it? What did you do then?” Brainstorm more solutions.

* You are the “conductor.” Use the "3 Cs": Control (manage) your emotions; Connect with your kids; and Conduct your family from the...