When you realize your working to damn much Options

[rmackintosh]

Honestly, I can relate, but not because of my current situation.

When I was in high school, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through the 3 years shoe fought it (had a recurrence 18 months after the first diagnosis), it brought our family VERY close together. During that time, as a Freshman-Junior in high school, most of my friends' biggest worries ewre what party was happening Friday night, and who they would bring. My biggest worry was if my mother would see me graduate. It really put things in perspective. As we look back on it, our entire family agrees - if we could do it all over again (knowing she would survive), we would still choose having the cancer. Our family is VERY close, and all of us realize the true things that are important.

A few years ago, my co-worker quit. For 9 months, I worked 12-14 hours a day, 6 days per week. I saw my wife (we'd only been married around a year or so) maybe 1-2 hours per night, and on Sunday. Then, one day, I went into work and told them that they needed to hire someone else. As of that day, I was not going to work more than 50 hours per week (except in special circumstances) and I would not work the weekend. If that required my resignation, so be it. They decided to hire another person, then eventually third person.

So, I now get to work at 8:30. I go home at 5:00. Sure, I stay late or come in early sometimes, but no more than is absolutely necessary. I tell very few people to call me outside the office - when I get home, it's to be away from work. I don't bring work home with me. If this has, or will, cost me a promotion or pay-raise, I feel it is worth it. Nothing is as important as my wife and (future) kids.

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

[jraskell]

STEADFAST belief that you "work to live" NOT "live to work"

My father did a good job of teaching me that lesson, and I thank him for it. A little extra work up front in school, and I make a pretty sweet living off a 40 hour week. I haven't worked overtime in 3 years, and even before that I think the most overtime I've ever worked has been about 30 hours in an entire year.

[#07]

Honestly, I can relate, but not because of my current situation.

When I was in high school, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through the 3 years shoe fought it (had a recurrence 18 months after the first diagnosis), it brought our family VERY close together. During that time, as a Freshman-Junior in high school, most of my friends' biggest worries ewre what party was happening Friday night, and who they would bring. My biggest worry was if my mother would see me graduate. It really put things in perspective. As we look back on it, our entire family agrees - if we could do it all over again (knowing she would survive), we would still choose having the cancer. Our family is VERY close, and all of us realize the true things that are important.

A few years ago, my co-worker quit. For 9 months, I worked 12-14 hours a day, 6 days per week. I saw my wife (we'd only been married around a year or so) maybe 1-2 hours per night, and on Sunday. Then, one day, I went into work and told them that they needed to hire someone else. As of that day, I was not going to work more than 50 hours per week (except in special circumstances) and I would not work the weekend. If that required my resignation, so be it. They decided to hire another person, then eventually third person.

So, I now get to work at 8:30. I go home at 5:00. Sure, I stay late or come in early sometimes, but no more than is absolutely necessary. I tell very few people to call me outside the office - when I get home, it's to be away from work. I don't bring work home with me. If this has, or will, cost me a promotion or pay-raise, I feel it is worth it. Nothing is as important as my wife and (future) kids.

I'm going though this right now. A week ago we were informed that my fathers cancer is still present and all over his body/organs now. The chemo and the surgery last year was only a short term extension it seems. I was fool enough or in denial enough to think it had gone. The doctors only gave him 4-12 months to go. He cant get outa bed and is sleeping alot and know one day he wont wake up :sob: Its more like days or weeks (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

So needless to say I have not worked all week,and have been with him and my mother and family most of the time. These are very hard times for anybody to have to deal with. I'm glad your mom kicked it so many cant.

We had our kids early too...thank god. I'm 35 kids 11 and 14. Our family is very close. Heck the car is mine and my sons! We built it together what an idea that was I will never forget these times...nor will he I presume. I never let my work get between me a my family either.But there are families out there that don't have a choice but to have daddy gone all the time for their well being. If this is YOU good for you for being a man, life is tough sometimes. Especially for young families I know this. Keep it up...it gets easier to fit everything in later.