Sometimes I can’t do the work I’d like to do because my family comes first.

I’m the primary caregiver for my 95-year-old father. The time it takes to do what I have to do for him is affecting my productivity. 

I’m not alone.

I’m seeing an increasing number of people in my circle of associates who are dealing with aging parents, ill spouses, unexpected custody of grandchildren, or other family situations. They’re continuing to work, but not at the level they used to. 

They’re adjusting their businesses to care for their families.

When I first entered the workforce, you were expected to leave your personal life at the door when you came to work. Sure, we’d chat about weekend plans and television shows, but work came first. 

Time off to go to a child’s game or take an aging parent to the doctor was virtually unheard of. 

It might still be that way in the corporate world–I don’t know because most of my network and my clients are entrepreneurs and self-employed professionals who put their families first. It’s a joy to work that way.

My father on his 95th birthday

The older my father gets, the greater his needs are. I used to take him to a medical appointment once a month; now it’s once a week. He used to be able to handle scheduling those appointments within my windows of availability; now I have to make those phone calls. And since he gave up driving (a good thing!), I take him shopping, for haircuts, and whatever other errands he needs to run. 

Even with the total support of my husband (who is also my business partner), I simply don’t have as many hours to work as I used to. Sometimes that means turning down projects that I’d really like to do. Sometimes it means losing a project to another writer or consultant who can meet a tighter deadline than I can. Sometimes it means begging a client’s forgiveness when an unexpected “Dad issue” means I don’t get the work done on schedule. And it’s definitely affecting my income.

I’m not complaining (well, maybe a little). It’s the season of my life and business–a season I’m sharing with a lot of people.

And I don’t think any of us will ever regret letting our personal lives affect our businesses.