Survey: Almost Half of Dads Would Be Mr. Mom

By Richard Castellini, Senior Career Adviser for CareerBuilder.com

Trading in power lunches for PB&J and Wi-Fi for the Wiggles, four-in-ten working dads say they would stay at home and assume the role of Mr. Mom if their spouse or partner earned enough to support their families, according to CareerBuilder.com's “Working Dads 2006” survey. Fed up with the struggle to balance work and home, 44 percent of working dads say they are willing to take a pay cut to spend more time with their children.

What's keeping dad away from the kids? Heavy workloads and demanding schedules are to blame: three-in-ten working dads say they spend less than two hours per day with their children after work; one-in-ten spend less than one hour; and 40 percent of working dads report they bring home work at least once a week.

From that first bike ride without training wheels to the annual talent show, dads are missing out on their children's milestones because of work. Fifty-eight percent missed at least one special event in their children's lives due to work in the last year and 19 percent missed five or more.

Compared to working moms, CareerBuilder.com found that working dads are experiencing less flexibility with their employers. Forty percent of working dads say their companies offer flexible work arrangements, compared to 53 percent of working moms. Eighteen percent of working dads report that work style adjustments have inhibited their career progress, while 72 percent say adjustments have enhanced or had no impact on their career progress.

Are you one of the 28 percent of working dads who say their job is hurting their relationships with their children? Here are five ways you can gain a healthy work/life balance:

1. Keep in touch -- One-in-five working dads say they talk to their children on the phone while at work at least once a day; one-in-ten speak to their children twice a day or more. Make a quick call in between meetings and projects and let your children know they're top of mind.

2. Keep one calendar -- Schedule baseball games and play recitals on the same calendar you use for meetings and travel to make sure you never double-book yourself. Save your vacation days for those special events in your children's lives, so you're there and in the front row.

3. Save work for bedtime -- If you take work home with you, make sure your kids don't see it. Check e-mails after bedtime. When you're home, it's all about them.

4. Make time -- At least once a week, schedule a family activity that involves interaction such as a game, bike ride, trip to the playground, etc. Also, make sure to schedule a date night for you and your significant other.

5. Get involved -- Introduce yourself to your child's teacher and ask for e-mail updates on his/her progress. Volunteer your time where you can spend it with your kids, whether it's joining Scouts or coaching a team or participating at a school function.

Richard Castellini is Senior Career Adviser for CareerBuilder.com and a father of three.