1 in 3 families say childcare costs influence family planning

1 in 3 families say childcare costs influence family planning1 in 3 families say childcare costs influence family planningHaving a child is going to upturn your world and empty out your wallet. Too many of us are still unprepared for what it takes financially to balance a new family with our personal and professional lives, according to Care.coms fifth annual survey of childcare costs.Three in four families reported that the childcare costs were more than they expected. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines affordable childcare as costing up to 7% of household income, while parents in the survey said they were paying almost triple that number. One in three families said they spend 20% or more of their household income on childcare costs.Increasing costs of childcare are straining finances and marriagesChildcare is increasingly unaffordable. According to Care.coms national averages of weekly childcare costs, while a nanny cost $472 and an after-school babysitter cos t $181 in 2013 in 2017, a nanny costs an average of $580 and an after-school sitter costs $242.More than a quarter of parents surveyed said they would put themselves in debt to pay for childcare costs. These added concerns take a toll on our personal relationships. Thirty-five percent of parents said childcare costs caused relationship tension with their partner. It is limiting families futures. Families are waiting to have children longer, or are having fewer children than they would like if money was no object. One in three families said that childcare costsfactored into their family planning decision, which helps explain why the U.S. fertility rate is at a record low of60.2 births per 1,000 women in 2017.The demands of childcare costs also influence our career choices. The top career changes parents said childcare influenced them to do were changing jobs to increase take-home pay, requesting a more flexible work schedule, switching to a part-time schedule, and becoming a stay-at- home parent. And sometimes, these careers switches are done with regret. About one in four parents said they would not have done the same career decisions, knowing what they do know about childcare costs.

Ways to Get Good Soft Skills Training

Ways to Get Good Soft Skills TrainingWays to Get Good Soft Skills TrainingCan you learn soft skills the way you can learn how to drive or play the guitar? The answer is yes, but dont expect to get soft skills training at a company-sponsored workshop. Even though many managers say it takes strong interpersonal skills to move up the company ladder, few firms provide training in this area. In an Accountemps survey of CFOs, only one in five said their organization is likely to invest in soft skills training for accounting and finance staff in the next two years.So youre on your own. If youre like many accountants, youve noticed the increasing need for non-accounting skills and abilities in your job. For one thing, you may find yourself collaborating more frequently across the business, outside of accounting and finance.Here are four tips for getting your own soft skills training without going back to school1. Get out and aboutIts easy to become so preoccupied in the daily demands of your role that you never leave the office. But thats just what you need to do. Making time to attend association and community group meetings gives you experience in initiating and maintaining conversations with new contacts. And if you drill down a bit more and get involved in committees and teams, you can elevate your communication skills.Also, friendships at work can provide a sounding board and support system. Go out to lunch, or socialize afterwork. A sense of camaraderie at work can improve employee communication and cooperation, which contributes to career success.Follow the Robert Half Blog for the latest career trends and advice.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER2. Pursue tact and diplomacyIsaac Newton called tact the art of making a point without making an enemy. As for diplomacy, journalist David Frost once said its the art of letting someone else have your way. At the end of the day, tact and diplomacy share the same intent They help you achieve your goals while maintaining good of fice relations. Here are some tipsIts easy to be stubborn and focus on your own needs. Instead, take the high road and collaborate for the common good. Let colleagues know you understand their positions.If youre upset, take time to collect your thoughts. You cant afford to say something regrettable that permanently damages relationships.If you need to have a tough conversation, plan it out first. Imagine the counterarguments. Try to steer clear of the terms always and never.Give feedback directly and privately. If you have something to say to a coworker, go directly to the offender and have a gentle but firm word in private.Know the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. Harsh criticism tears down constructive feedback helps build up.3. Build adaptability on the jobCharles Darwin may not have been an accountant, but he knew something about adaptability. He learned that the species fittest for survival are the ones most adaptable to change.The rapid advancement of te chnology means youre likely to see widespread changes during your accounting career. Today, its the transition to cloud accounting. Tomorrow, who knows? Whatever comes next, the fittest accountants will be the ones who are flexible, positive and open to change. So here are some challengesDont become so intent on getting your way that you fail to acknowledge other points of view. Demonstrate a sincere interest in your colleagues, minimizing interruptions and asking for clarification when necessary.Try to see things from another point of view. Asking questions can channel your uncertainty into something that boosts productivity in the workplace.Accept new challenges outside your comfort zone, such as offering to fill in where help is needed, leading a training session on something you know well or submitting an article for the company newsletter.4. Practice good communicationYes, you want to hold the floor at times to get your point across, but dont let this be your single objective w hen in a group setting. Instead of automatically blurting out something you want to say the minute it occurs to you, practice active listening skills. By becoming a better listener, youll not only improve your likability and ability to influence others, but youll also avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.Soft skills dont only refer to person-to-person interactions, of course. Maintain a professional tone in all your written communication, from emails to texts, not to mention voicemails and printed memos. Even the most informal communiqu requires common courtesies such as please and thank you. You never know how far your messages will be forwarded.The bottom line is that soft skills can be learned. But it takes practice.Looking for more career advice, accounting professionals? Visit our Accounting and Finance Professionals Career Center.

Things to do when you think someone is ignoring you at an event

Things to do when you think someone is ignoring you at an eventThings to do when you think someone is ignoring you at an eventOne of the most annoying things ever is going to a networking event, striking up a conversation with someone, and watching them stop paying attention to you as they get distracted by other people or things.zu siches what to do when you feel like youre being ignored in a work setting where making new connections is the point of it all.Keep your eyes peeledThis can really come in handy.A blog post on the website for Greene Resources explains why you should overcome the feeling of being ignored while at a networking session, after mentioning body language signals to look for.One pitfall of which to be aware is getting ignored while trying to join a conversation. The best way to avoid this is to monitor body language as described previously. In addition, avoid situations in which two people are already engaged in a discussion and coming across as if they are not o pen to others joining, it says. You can always come back around after the conversation has ended. If you do approach a person or group and are ignored, do not let this affect the rest of your night. Find another group more welcoming, or someone you already know, and engage in a conversation.Project the enthusiasm you want from othersAriella Coombs, Director of Marketing Content Strategy at Work It Daily, writes on the site about why people may not be talking to you at networking sessions. Her first point is that you may seem uninviting.This tip makes it clear that you have to act the way you want others to treat you - so you should check your behavior.People strike up conversations with people who seem genuine, personable, and excited to chat. However, if youre nervous, intimidated, or bored, you can come across as uninviting, which will discourage people from starting conversations with you, she writes. When you attend networking events, make sure youre smiling, excited, and genu inely happy to be there and meet new people. Not only will it encourage people to walk over and say hello, but it will also give you a sneaky confidence boostPolitely end the conversation and find someone else to speak withCut your losses - sometimes, you just have to go and talk to someone else if youre having trouble connecting. Just make sure that you have another person in mind.So end the conversation respectfully, get the persons contact information, and move on.