Maybe your parents taught you that nothing is more valuable than your reputation, so you worked to establish yourself as the employee who will go the extra mile to get the job done.

Now, however, that go-to guy wants to go-to home. You want to leave as quickly as you can after work and stay home as long as you can before work.

One question keeps stressing you: Will this new work schedule put a chill on your hot reputation as the guy who keeps things going in the fast lane?

Stress and the New Dad

Most stress comes from change - good change, bad change, any change. What’s stressful is having to adapt to something new. So as a novice dad, stress will certainly be a part of your life for a while. When you add to it by worrying about your job, you don’t help yourself be more productive, either at work or at home.

Worry consumes a lot of energy but doesn't get you anywhere. It's like being stuck in the mud - you spin your wheels, use a lot of fuel, but still don't move. Instead of worrying, try shifting to problem-solving, which involves identifying the problem, coming up with possible solutions, anticipating outcomes, and then selecting the solution that looks best.

In solving the work-family balance problem, your best allies at work are your supervisor, HR person or team leader, because they want you to continue being a productive employee as much as you do. Discuss your concerns with them to send them this important message: You value your job and the reputation you have as a hard worker, and you don't want to put either in jeopardy. A happy employee is a loyal and productive one - and one who squashes worries with problem solving!

This information is not a substitute for personal medical, psychiatric or psychological advice.