When weekend is no longer "weekend
For many young families, especially couples who are in the stage of building a career, weekends are not necessarily a time for rest. Some work overtime, some take advantage of extra work, some are caught up in a tight personal schedule. Gradually, the common meal becomes sparse, and conversations only revolve around what needs to be done and what must be done.
According to Dr. Mark Travers, a psychologist and co-founder of the Awakened Mind Institute (USA), the problem is not how busy you are, but the feeling of abandonment among family members. “When weekends, a time that is expected for cohesion, continue to be absent, disappointment will accumulate and crack marital, parent-child relationships,” he said.
This is especially clear in young children. Family psychological studies show that children do not need their parents by their side all day, but are very sensitive to whether their parents spend real time for them or not.
Three principles to maintain balance in busyness
The first principle is quality over quantity. If you can't spend two weekends with your family, create "golden hours". A leisurely breakfast, 30 minutes with your child reading a book, or an evening turning off the phone to chat with your partner is more valuable than hours together but each person with a screen.
The second principle is transparency and consensus. Instead of being silent and enduring, husband and wife need to clearly state their weekend schedule, reasons for being busy, and times to make up for it. According to Dr. Travers, sharing plans helps members feel respected and not prejudiced.
The third principle is to turn small things into family rituals. A fixed evening a week to eat together, a short video call if you have to be away from home, or the habit of writing messages to each other before going to work on weekends. These rituals create a sense of stability, helping families have emotional support even when schedules change.
Don't let busyness become an excuse
Dr. Travers emphasized that busyness is the reality of modern life, but should not become a reason to justify distance. “Family does not need perfection, but needs a conscious presence,” he said.
Balancing families when the weekend is always full is not an easy problem, but it is also not impossible. As long as each person proactively gives up a little, listens more and considers time together as a priority, the home can still maintain a warm breath amidst the cycle of making a living.
