WORK – LIFE BALANCE: FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF TEACHER - PARENTS

Educational Administration

Work-life balance is a challenge for teacher-parents since both roles are confronted with demanding time and energy. This study explored the experiences of teacher-parents work-life balance. Data and information were gathered using in-depth interviews. This study employed qualitative phenomenological research design where eight teacher-parents were selected purposively as participants. Specifically, the study investigated the circumstances surrounding teacher-parent maintaining work-life balance; their experiences, challenges, coping mechanisms, and insights. The findings showed that the experiences encountered by teacher-parent include setting boundaries, prioritizing task, multi-tasking, task was easier with supportive husband and when child is getting sick. The study revealed that challenges were managing time effectively, extend school duties during weekends, going home late, workload outside of regular school hours and lack of personal time. The mechanisms employed by teacher-parent to overcome these challenges include time management, make a to do list, prioritizing, establish clear boundaries, sought support from others, and no workload to bring at our house. This paper concluded with the recommendation that the findings from the teacher-parent experiences will assist school administrators to review and adjust workloads and provide resources to streamline work process and teacher-parent will adjust and adapt school policies to maintain work-life balance. Further, it was suggested to create school environment that values and recognizes teacher-parent efforts and to allow them to leave specially when family members are in emergencies.

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