1. 4th Annual Diversity Conference Work-Life Balance Workshop, November 1, Kellee S. Tsai Department of Political Science Johns Hopkins University

2. Competing Obligations
Family

3. Competing Obligations
House

4. Multiple Professional Hats
Teacher & Advisor – undergraduates and graduates
Researcher – travel to China, write books
Administrator – e.g., Director of Undergraduate Studies
Other scholarly duties – outside dissertations, review work of peers, etc.

5. Challenges How to allocate 24 hours/day…
Work is usually manageable, but it may come at the cost of family time
The fact is that there is ALWAYS a trade-off between work and family

6. What works (in theory) 1. Saying “no” to non-essential requests
2. Coordinating schedules with spouse
3. Prioritizing the family dinner
4. Carving out time to be an attentive mother

7. How it works (in practice)
1. Saying “no” to non-essential requests
Well, I’m here…

8. How it works (in practice)
2. Coordinating schedules with spouse
Very tricky. Depends on other people.

9. How it works (in practice)
3. Prioritizing the family dinner
Take-out and leftovers, but that’s OK

10. How it works (in practice)
Carving out time to be an attentive mother
Working late into the night – every night.
Minimal time for regular exercise or hobbies.

11. Potential Solutions
Dr. Oliva-Hemker’s talk: setting priorities and setting boundaries
1. Constructing inviolable time with the family.
2. Quarantining the home computer at certain times.
3. Adjusting timeline for professional goals.

12. Being a Better Mother