CONTENTS

Introduction

Getting to “All Done”

Grab the tricks and tools that will help you and start using them today.

by Daisy Dowling, Series Editor

Section 1

Strategy for Supper

Bring Your Work Skills Home

1. To Have a Happier Home Life, Treat It a Little More Like Work

Plan and schedule, play to everyone’s strengths, and put people first.

by Whitney Johnson

2. The Agile Family Meeting

Transform your family by asking three questions.

by Bruce Feiler

3. Sync Up Your Family Calendars

With fewer bad surprises, everyone is happier.

by Elizabeth Grace Saunders

4. Negotiating with Your Kids

Reach better outcomes and model a better process.

by Mary C. Kern and Terri R. Kurtzberg

5. Assemble Your “Parenting Posse”

Networking helps at home, too.

by Alison Beard

Section 2

Say No to Doing Everything

Put Your Real Priorities First

6. Does Your Schedule Reflect Your Values?

Learn to translate your priorities into action.

by Elizabeth Grace Saunders

7. Let Go of the Idea of Balance

Look for four-way wins.

An HBR IdeaCast Interview with Stewart D. Friedman and Alyssa F. Westring

8. How to Spend Your Parenting Time and Energy Wisely

When was the last time you checked in on your kids’ priorities?

by Amy Jen Su

9. “Delegating with Joy”

To get the help you need, put a task and an ask in a higher context.

A Women at Work Interview with Tiffany Dufu

10. Too Much to Do? Here’s How to Ask for Help

Figure out what you need, just ask for it, and accept what is offered.

by Heidi Grant

11. How to Say No to Taking on More

Practice saying it out loud.

by Rebecca Knight

Section 3

Getting It All (Mostly) Done

Productivity Tips and Hacks You Need

12. Working from Home When You Have Kids

It takes more than a home office.

by Daisy Dowling

13. You Can Make Family Meals Happen

Consider family breakfast.

by Daisy Dowling

14. Getting Things Done While Locked Down with Your Kids

Advice for the pandemic—and beyond.

Contributed by 18 HBR readers

15. How Working Parents Can Manage the Demands of School-Age Kids

Strategies to handle the chaos.

by Daisy Dowling

16. Stop Feeling Guilty About Your To-Do List

Make peace with never being caught up.

by Rebecca Knight

Section 4

You Can’t Be in Two Places at Once

Deal with Tough Work-Family Conflicts

17. Winning Support for Flexible Work

Propose a plan that works for you, your boss, and your company.

by Amy Gallo

18. How to Handle Work When Your Child Is Sick

What to say to your boss and colleagues.

by Daisy Dowling

19. What to Do When Personal and Professional Commitments Compete for Your Time

Strategies for when you can’t be in two places at once.

by Elizabeth Grace Saunders

20. Keep Your Home Life Sane When Work Gets Crazy

Make sure to communicate with the people who matter most.

by Stewart D. Friedman

21. Managing Work During a Family Crisis

Four tactics to juggle your job, your kids, and your own well-being.

by Sabina Nawaz

Epilogue

You’ve Got This

22. Parenting Is Making You a Better Leader

Help them grow.

by Peter Bregman

Notes

About the Contributors

Index