What extreme choices have you made to keep your worklife balance intact?

Question

What extreme choices have you made to keep your worklife balance intact?
As the latest example of How Good Grows on Yahoo!, our Power Your Future program highlights stories of real women, both everyday and powerful, who are finding success in their work and personal lives. Gina Drosos, this weeks featured woman and the head of Procter amp Gambles global beauty division, took a hour flight back from a business trip in Asia to coach her daughters basketball team in their leagues championship game. Share your memorable experiences in balancing your work life and personal life, then listen to Ginas full story to hear her advice.

Answer

I never considered my choices EXTREME but I just tried to give my daughter and husband as much time as possible, outside of my work. Also, I remembered to make some me time as well. I am not some big corporate mover and shaker but I have made a good living and supported my family while my husband has saved a big portion of what he makes in savings and for our retirement. He also has the good benefits, such as medical, dental, a pension, etc...I just make cash. So the family is covered.brbrI worked all weekend and I mean I never left the hospital from Friday evening pm until Monday morning am when my daughter was young in order to spend days a week with her and be around for school activities, be there when she got home, etc.brbrNow I have a Monday through Friday job, am to pm with a lot of freedom to take time off, etc. I can have lunch with my daughter or husband, have the freedom to go see my elderly parents and have enough quotme time to stay in a good mood. Sadly, I wish I could travel for pleasure more but in the current economy I feel like I must not be spending money that Ill be glad I have if I ever retire. I do travel on business a little bit and that is interesting but again, its work.brbrI Guess since I had my own babysitting business at age years old and then landed a job in bookkeeping in a bank, then worked at a proper bakery for years and learned to bake, then went to university and got a degree and worked as charge nurse in a hospital until now, as an emergency planner for medical facilities in my district for the Health Department, I have been satisfied with my job and the money I made. To me, self esteem and autonomy goes hand in hand with control in my job and with making MY money, which of course I am glad to share with my family.brbrI also always wanted to feel like my job was meaningful, that it helped people.