The art of juggling between family, career success

By Zuleikha Salim

In today’s fast-paced world, the responsibility of balancing career and family is not confined to one gender.

Both men and women are navigating the pressures of thriving professionally, while remaining present and engaged at home.

With dual-income households on the rise and traditional gender roles evolving, many couples are reshaping how they share household and parenting duties.

However, the demands of a successful career and a fulfilling family life often pull individuals in opposite directions.

The pursuit of professional excellence, combined with the responsibilities of raising children, managing a household, and maintaining personal well-being can feel like an impossible balancing act, if one fails to embrace the aspect of ‘give and take’ in life.

Nehemiah Wanjira, Kisumu’s Arya Comprehensive School outgoing Headteacher, emphasizes the importance of fostering an environment where both learners in school and his family can flourish.

“I have not only excelled in leading a thriving school community, but also navigated the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family responsibilities,” he shared.

Wanjira believes that while balancing work and family responsibilities is crucial, one’s presence is essential for the success of both.

He however maintains that amidst all job-related engagements, family should always come first.

Dorcas Akinyi, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Kisumu Chapter chairperson expressed support for commitment to being present at home, while managing her law firm.

“I try not to schedule too much work during school holidays when I can be with the kids; when that’s not possible, I sometimes bring them to work so they can see what I do,” she noted.

“Sometimes, you have to sacrifice family time, especially for cases that require significant time and physical presence, such as meeting clients,” she added.

For her, having a solid support network at work and home is key to effectively juggling between the roles, adding that technology has over the years proved to be a blessing for most women.

“The advancement in technology has enabled women to purchase appliances that make household tasks quicker, allowing for more time to bond with family and focus on work,” she remarked.

For Dr. Jafar Juma, Head of the Trauma and Emergency department at Kisumu’s Star Hospital, once a person chooses a career and starts a family, time becomes a critical factor.

“Family and money are interconnected; one often relies on the other,” he opined.

The best strategy to balance family responsibilities with work, he added, is to make sacrifices for family members during the limited time available.

“My spouse struggles to understand me due to my busy work schedule. However, my mother has been incredibly supportive, encouraging me to work harder.”

Balancing a career and family is not a one-size-fits-all journey. It requires adaptability, strong support system, and self-compassion to find a rhythm that works.

Conversely, businessman Erick Owino believes that networking is crucial for business success, starting with close family members.

“As a business person, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. If one area isn’t working, you need to explore others to keep things running,” he advised.