Coexisting means to exist together, at the same time, or in the same place. Often times, when work gets busy, I find coexistence with my family a necessity. I tell myself that my family understands and that I will spend more time with them later or when I can come up for air. In retrospect and believe me, I look myself in the mirror every day, I find it interesting that I will schedule a call with a client or a new meeting and put it in my calendar and blackberry so I don’t forget, but I wouldn’t even think about doing that with my family. After all, how would it look if I added a calendar reminder to my blackberry that says between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Wednesday, I am going to spend quality time with my daughter. The fact is that coexisting can put your family at risk and stagnate a family’s growth.

The following tips might help you break through coexisting with your family:

BE ORGANIZED
Create a schedule and map out individual commitments for each family member. Use an area of the house to create a calendar of events or just a note area. Add everything on your family calendar to your blackberry and make sure you block off that time.

BE SUPPORTIVE
Take a moment every day to ask your spouse and children about their day. At first, this may not get the a response, but do it every day until it becomes a custom and the family will begin to open up. Showing support tends to create closer relationships.

BE AVAILABLE
Vacationing as a family should be meaningful and one should only embark on a vacation with no regrets and the willingness to leave work at home. Realistically though, it’s hard for an entrepreneur to leave the business at home, when you are the business. If you have to work, you might want to schedule it for times when the family is sleeping, when it doesn’t interfere with plans or cause everyone to put things on hold for you. Just be there when they need you.

BE SPONTANEOUS
Put it all aside for a day and take the family on a last minute outing. Come home, announce that work is done and take everyone out for ice cream, a movie, or a drive. This works best after you have closed a deal, finished a major project or in the mood to reward yourself. Spontaneity is the spice of life.

BE RELIABLE
Whatever you do be a woman of your word. Don’t allow your need to please the family overwhelm your thoughts, so much so that you make promises you can’t keep. As you would get back to a client, don’t be afraid to get back to your family. If you don’t know that you are available to attend an event or go to a movie, wait until you check your calendar. Above all, your family should trust your word.