The job of a journalist is most suitable for single individuals. The job is not as simple as making journaling exercises, it actually requires great time and effort. After all, it takes decades of hard work before the broadcasting company allows you to have an office job and regular hours. If you are still relatively new in the business, you should be no different from an on-call doctor 24/7. That is especially true if you want to become an investigative journalist and be known as a messenger of current events. Whether there is a car collision on the freeway or a rally at 3 A.M., you must go wherever that is happening and create a report about it immediately.
Things become more complicated when you choose to come after content that’s of public interest. I am talking about news regarding terrorism, a war in foreign lands, presidential announcements, etc. You cannot rely on other journalists to share their information with you while risking their lives. Instead, you should be out there and get the data you need on your own. If that means getting on a plane and entering the war zone, so be it.
The thing is, there is no clause in journalists’ contracts that forbid them from getting married and starting a family. Many of them have spouses and kids who tend to worry about their fate every time they leave the house. At the same time, their families cannot help but feel sad whenever they cut a trip short or postpone a pre-planned celebration because of work.
If you wonder how you can make time for your family while fulfilling your journalistic duties, you have clicked the correct blog. You can achieve that by doing the following:
Sign Up To An Instant Messaging App
The quickest way to juggle family and work is by downloading and signing up for an instant messaging app like Skype, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, Snapchat, etc. These platforms have features that allow you to exchange images with your loved ones and video chat with them for as long as you want. That is better than regular calls and texts, for sure.
Instant messaging apps are incredibly helpful when your kids have a recital at school while you are on the job. Your partner can send photos and video clips of the event in real-time, so you can still be a part of an important milestone in your children’s lives. If possible, you may give them a video call to cheer on the little ones personally. If you must know, kids can gain confidence when they see that both parents are supporting them, even though only one is physically present.
Take Your Loved Ones Somewhere Special During Your Off Days
Journalists are technically entitled to have one or two days off. However, depending on the company and initial work agreement, the actual days when you can relax and stop thinking of your job may vary. That always occurs during presidential elections or if there is a terrorist attack in the country.
Anytime you get to be off duty. Therefore, you should make it special for your family. For instance, you can reserve a table at a new restaurant in town that you know your spouse and children will love. You may surprise them with tickets to Disneyland as well, assuming they can still enjoy a day in an amusement park.
It is okay if you cannot sleep for an entire day—you can do that at night with your family.
Check-In With Your Family Often Wherever You May Be
A journalist’s family has no reason to feel like they no longer see you as much as they should when you often check in with them. Regardless of how busy you insist you are, we all know that it is nothing but an excuse these days. Texting something like “Hey, I arrived at my hotel safely” or “I’m going to work now” will not take two seconds off your precious time, after all.
Location is not always an acceptable alibi. Even if you are in a war zone in Syria or on your way up the Mt. Everest in the Himalayas, there should be spots where your mobile device can catch a signal. That should be enough to let your family know that you are okay. Hence, they won’t have to be glued to the TV all day long, waiting for tragic news about you.
Final Thoughts
The life of a married journalist can never be too easy. You have duties as a professional and spouse, and failing at either is not an option. Similarly, you cannot slack off at work to fulfill your parental duties all the time, especially if you are the leading provider at home. Your family should be okay with your complicated work schedule as long as you try to talk to them often and look after their needs whenever you can.
Good luck!