BISHOP of Limerick Brendan Leahy has warned that people need to pay attention to their “work-life balance” and to make time for family as a report reveals that half of all parents feel overwhelmed.
In his St. Patrick’s Day homily at a Mass for the defence forces and their families at Sarsfield Barrack, the Bishop said there is a need to ensure we create more special family moments in the fast paced world we live in today.
“I noticed that in Ireland a report was issued telling us that almost 50 per cent of parents are feeling overwhelmed, with finding time to spend with their children their biggest challenge. Work-life balance is a big question for many,” he said.
Bishop Leahy said that on our national feast day it was important to remind ourselves that we have only one life and question ourselves if we are making the most of it. “How often parents tell me their children grew up so fast. As we are about to enter into another boom time in Ireland, we need to make good decisions regarding our families – the best investment for our society. Perhaps we can ask ourselves: if we had life all over again and were back as children, what would we ask of our parents?
“We might list loads of things but I bet ultimately we would ask for quality time with them. It’s the quality moments with our parents that we treasure from our youth.
“It’s not just a question of supplying the latest gadgets or fashion. Parents need creativity in how they invest themselves in quality time with their children. We need moments to simply read a book at night, go for a walk with children, play a game – things where there’s just you and them.
“I know of some families that simply turn off the television and internet for an hour every week. They all sit down together and enjoy a common activity. The life balance issue requires choices,” Bishop Leahy concluded.
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