• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

  • Home
  • Advertise
    • Advertise in One or All of our Magazines
    • Advertising Payment Form
  • Digital Subscription
    • Subscribe
    • Subscriber Login
  • Print Subscription
  • Contact Us

One Dad’s Balancing Act!

May 21, 2011 by Inside Press

By Michael P. Therrien

Have you ever asked yourself how to attain a work/life balance without jeopardizing your career–or family? How much “quality” time with family is enough? Maybe you wish you could volunteer at every baseball game, recital and field trip that your kids are involved in. How about some time to pursue your own interests?

Can you do it all? No. There is always compromise. Don’t beat yourself up over it. A number of friends in Chappaqua have told me they are impressed that I am able to juggle as much as I do and still have time for family while working full time. Don’t get me wrong – it’s hard work. Achieving balance takes effort and a supportive family. And it does come at a price–in my case, much less sleep then I’d like.

What’s my typical day? Up before 5 a.m. with a protein shake, in front of my computer for two hours of solid work, then join the kids for breakfast before driving them to school on the way to the office. Both my wife and I have the luxury of very short commutes but honestly, it wasn’t so much of a luxury as a conscious choice.

I try to leave the office by 5 p.m. to get an hour of exercise, at least three times during weekdays and twice with the family over the weekend. Sometimes I may only have 30 minutes for a workout but it’s important to keep the momentum. Make exercise a good habit. I should add that my workouts are intense but necessary for stress release. Do not try this at home!

I get home around 6:30 p.m. to help with dinner which allows me to spend a few hours with family. Then I catch up on any personal matters, prepare for the next day or spend some quiet time with my wife. Bedtime is usually midnight to 1am. Enough sleep? No. But it’s what I choose to sacrifice in order to do more. By the way, this also means that I give up television and don’t have time to read fiction.

With hours allocated for work, exercise and family, I do make time to pursue my own interests. After all, when the kids leave for college in the next four to six years, we need to have our own interests besides work. Fortunately, there are significant opportunities in and around Chappaqua to pursue interesting hobbies and activities.

For example, I’m actively involved producing videos at the New Castle Community Media Center. Late last year, my co-producers, Sue Resnick, Barbara Kornreich and I created a KEN KEN tournament video that inspired a feature segment on the Martha Stewart show. Check it out at nccmc.com. I am also acting, er.. I mean learning to act, at the Howard Meyer Acting Program in Pleasantville, a welcoming and enriching opportunity to incorporate some creativity and fun into a busy day. On the horizon… flying lessons!

When working to achieve balance, you can, as the word implies, sometimes lean more towards one way or the other when you’re pulled in many directions. It’s important to maintain flexibility to let that happen and deal with the changing priorities. Let some things slide and don’t get so caught up that the striving for balance makes you absolutely rigid.

I have a daily reminder of balance whenever I check the time. Close to my watch band on the inside of my wrist is a small tattoo. Two little bars sit side-by-side, one solid and one empty, a play on Yin and Yang which means balance.

The tattoo itself goes unnoticed by most, but I look at it every day to remember its significance: live a balanced life.

Filed Under: Inside Thoughts

About Inside Press

Inside Press Magazines, established 2003, are in their 22nd year of publication.

Primary Sidebar

Please Visit

William Raveis – Armonk
William Raveis – Chappaqua
White Plains Hospital
Houlihan Lawrence – Armonk
Houlihan Lawrence – Briarcliff
Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua
NYOMIS – Dr. Andrew Horowitz
Raveis: Lisa Koh and Allison Coviello
Purple Plains
Compass: Miller-Goldenberg Team
Korth & Shannahan
Douglas Elliman: Chappaqua
CPW Vein & Aesthetic Center
Houlihan Lawrence: Harriet Libov
Houlihan: Tara Siegel
Beecher Flooks Funeral Home
David Visconti Painting & Contracting
King Street Creatives
Dr. Briones Medical Weight Loss Center
New Castle Physical Therapy

Follow our Social Media

The Inside Press

Our Latest Issues

For a full reading of our current edition, or to obtain a copy or subscription, please contact us.

Inside Armonk Inside Chappaqua and Millwood Inside Pleasantville and Briarcliff Manor

Join Our Mailing List


Search Inside Press

Links

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Subscription
  • Print Subscription

Publisher’s Note Regarding Our Valued Sponsors

Inside Press is not responsible for and does not necessarily endorse or not endorse any advertisers, products or resources referenced in either sponsor-driven stories or in advertisements appearing in this publication. The Inside Press shall not be liable to any party as a result of any information, services or resources made available through this publication.The Inside Press is published in good faith and cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in advertising or sponsor driven stories that appear in this publication. The views of advertisers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher’s.

Opinions and information presented in all Inside Press articles, such as in the arena of health and medicine, strictly reflect the experiences, expertise and/or views of those interviewed, and are not necessarily recommended or endorsed by the Inside Press. Please consult your own doctor for diagnosis and/or treatment.

Footer

Support The Inside Press

Advertising

Print Subscription

Digital Subscription

Categories

Archives

Subscribe

Did you know you can subscribe anytime to our print editions?

Voluntary subscriptions are most welcome, if you've moved outside the area, or a subscription is a great present idea for an elderly parent, for a neighbor who is moving or for your graduating high school student or any college student who may enjoy keeping up with hometown stories.

Subscribe Today

Copyright © 2025 The Inside Press, Inc. · Log in