“So much to do, so little time, and not enough help!” If this is your mantra, it’s time to rejoice because there’s a new mantra in town, “Yes we (my partner and I) can.” Joanna Strober, co-author of Getting to 50/50, explains how successfully balancing a career, marriage, and kids is attainable when husbands and wives commit to share equally as breadwinners and caregivers.  Joanna reminds us that, “Most men love their wives and their kids, and want to make them happy . . . once men see why getting to 50/50 is good for them, they want to get on board.” When women tap into their most powerful ally (the man they married) they can achieve it all.  Read on for some helpful tips from this work-life balance expert.

1.  Why did you decide to write a book on how women can achieve an optimal work-life balance?
My co-author and I were both having kids, working, and looking for role models. There was a lot of discussion in the media about women “opting-out” of working, but little attention paid to women who were successfully combining work and family. We wanted to write a book focusing on this group and help women who want to combine work and family.

2.  What is the single most important “ingredient” women need to achieve work-life balance?
A supportive husband is the key ingredient—someone who is an equal partner in all aspects of the marriage. You need to get from “I” to “we”. Stop thinking about how am “I” going to get everything done at work and at home, and change your mindset to how are “we”, my husband and I, going to accomplish things together. Marriages are stronger when they serve each party equally well. New research shows that when men share equally at home, couples significantly cut their risk of divorce.

3.  In your book Getting to 50/50, you suggest creating a Master Plan to help achieve optimal work-life balance. What is at the heart of the Master Plan?

4.  How important is attitude when it comes to creating and living a balanced life at home and at work?
It is really hard to go to work every day wondering whether or not you should be there, and wondering if your kids are going to be okay. Know that all the social science research shows that there is no difference in the outcome of children with 100% maternal care or not. Know that working is good for your husband, your children and you. Once you internalize this, it is much easier to feel good about your career and how you are managing your life. Two career bets are better for a family than one, especially in this economy. If you work together, you and your spouse can definitely make your careers and your home life a success.

5.  What should women look for when seeking a woman- and family-friendly employer?
The key is your direct boss, not necessarily the company. Does he or she have a working spouse or one that stays home and takes care of everything so that the boss can work late every night? Abby Cohen, a Goldman Sachs financial analyst and wonderful role model, once said that the world won’t change until every Fortune 500 CEO has a working spouse. Look for a boss with one.

6.  You mention that success at work doesn’t require 24/7 attention. How can women shed this expectation without compromising their careers?
First, be really good at what you do. People at work will cut you some slack when you are a valuable employee. Second, prioritize. Does that last email really need to go out that evening, or can it wait until tomorrow? It is amazing how much time is wasted in offices. You need to be very efficient and prioritize.

7.  The arrival of a new baby can be a cause of stress both at work and at home. What advice can you give to help women navigate this life-changing event with grace and confidence?
Know that having a baby is a wonderful, stressful, and emotional experience. Give yourself the time to enjoy it and not worry too much about your work. But at the same time, don’t check out completely. Employers do want to know that you care about your work and that you are going to come back. Once you are back at work, having child care you can trust is the key to working without worry.

~Amanda Miller

Photo Credits: iStockPhoto.com and www.gettingto5050.com