Lunch was delicious.  Have you tried these tempeh strips before?  Super tasty and convenient.

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I made a sandwich with hummus and tabbouleh, as well as steamed greens and cherries.

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So… The Husband and I spend a lot of time together.  Except when I go on a run or swim, he plays golf, or I leave the house to work from a coffee shop, we are together.  We live together, work at the clinic together, eat together, and sleep together.  I’d estimate that we are in each other’s presence at least 140 hours a week. 

 

140 hours a week is a lot of time to love each other… or a lot of time to hate each other’s guts. 

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When I quit my office job to become self-employed, it was immediately apparent that I would also be the Husband’s secretary administrative assistant when he started his acupuncture practice.  Why?  Well, if I work for him, he doesn’t have to pay someone else to do it.  More money in our pockets.  By working for the Husband, he was able to turn a profit much more quickly than he would’ve been able to otherwise. 

 

I was very nervous that working together would ruin our relationship, but (like most things in life) it’s all about how you approach it.  Here are my six tips for making a working relationship… work. 

 

Talk about who’s ‘in charge’ and follow these guidelines as you would at any other office:  When we are the clinic, the Husband is my boss.  He asks me to fax documents, call people, clean things, and other miscellaneous tasks… and I do it.  It’s my job to follow his orders while we’re at work.  And I don’t mind because I accept that our roles at the office are not the roles in our relationship.  Thus, I think it is very important to clearly define working roles and duties and how they differ from your personal relationship.  Once the stage is set, if you’re the ‘underling,’ allow your spouse to direct you, just as you would from any other boss!  If you are equal partners in the business, it’s a good idea to discuss who is responsible for what, so no one feels like they’re carrying all the weight.

 

View your working relationship as an opportunity to get to know each other better:  People always say that you should leave work at work and not bring it home, which I do believe… to a point.  Talking about work at home has actually brought us closer in many ways.  We talk about things that most coworkers wouldn’t, like emotional reactions to difficult situations.  Work is a very big part of someone’s life, and I feel like we explore how work impacts each other more deeply than we did before now that we work together.

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… However, know when to stop talking about work:  Once, after a five hour meeting in our living room, I declared a cease-fire.  We don’t answer the clinic phone (a cell) after 7 PM.  We don’t answer the phone on Sundays.  We go out to dinner and refuse to talk about work.  I think it’s important to draw the line between your real life and your work like – no matter WHAT your job or WHO you work with!

 

Similarly, don’t bring work drama home: We use the car ride home to hash out any dramatic situations.  Once the door to the house opens, it’s personal time.

 

Share ideas but don’t feel frustrated if your partner says ‘no’:  I’m more ‘business-minded’ and the Husband is more ‘patient-oriented,’ so sometimes I have business ideas that the Husband doesn’t think will work or are in the best interest of his patients.  On the other hand, sometimes I have GENIUS ideas (if I do say so myself) and he takes me up on my suggestions.  But either way, I don’t mind because I know he is listening.  I think this is key – listen to your partner!

 

Keep it kosher:  Never, ever fight or kiss in front of customers.  Many of the patients don’t even realize that I’m the Husband’s wife.  Others know that it’s a family business (my father-in-law, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law are also involved in the Charlotte clinic and run the Florida office), and they LOVE the fact that we’re all related.   In fact, I know a few customers come back over and over again specifically because they like to support a family business.  So tell customers you’re related – just don’t rub in their faces.

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Do you work with family?  How do you survive?

{ 99 comments }

 

  • Julie @ Shining From Within July 21, 2011, 12:22 pm

    I work at our family business and I actually enjoy it a lot! I feel more comfortable in my work space and never uptight. It does sometimes bother me when my mom acts like my boss, because even though she is, I still want her to act like my mom! Sometimes I talk to her like I do at home, such as, uhhh..no I’m not doing that, but then I catch myself and realize I’m at work. Family businesses can make or break a couple or family. I’ve seen waaaay too many relationships ruined over business so it’s good to keep the balance. We don’t talk about work after works over. It’s a no work talk zone, which is nice!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 6:55 pm

      Hahah If I worked with my mom, we would never get work done.

  • Erika @ The Teenage Taste July 21, 2011, 12:24 pm

    I don’t work with family, but I have heard of various “horror” stories that make it sound like hell. Glad to hear you and the husband are making it work though! Great advice! 😀

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels July 21, 2011, 12:25 pm

    Thanks again for this Caitlin! Great tips 🙂

  • Jaime July 21, 2011, 12:26 pm

    you two are seriously the cutest things ever. that is all 🙂

    • Nina July 21, 2011, 12:48 pm

      I wholeheartedly concur! 🙂

      • Baking N Books July 21, 2011, 1:14 pm

        Exactly what I was going to say!

        And on another note – YES – I love those tempeh strips!!! The Sesame and Garlic FTW! The coconut curry was wayyyyyyyy to spicy for me – yikes.

        And – yes, I know they’re ‘processed’ (before anyone jumps on me!) but whatever – they’re good 😉

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 6:55 pm

      Aw, thanks guys!

  • Aundra @ Fit for Life July 21, 2011, 12:26 pm

    Great post! Love the silly pictures.

    Boyfriend and I work for the same place, in different offices. That definitely means that we’ll talk about work at home, but it has also helped our offices communicate better and develop synergy!

    I also serve as the coordinator of his personal business. Similar to your situation, he runs the show, since it’s his business, but will always listen to ideas that I have. It has worked really well so far!

  • Alexa @ Simple Eats July 21, 2011, 12:28 pm

    This is such an awesome post! I worked with my now boyfriend before we were dating and I loved it. I like how you guys use the car ride to vent and then leave it all at the door…great advice!

  • Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food July 21, 2011, 12:29 pm

    I love that you two work together and I think it’s fabulous! Great tips as well I love to support family businesses as much as possible 🙂

    My husband I don’t work together but I think we could make it work after establishing some guidelines – bec he can be a bit bossy and get overly stressed! 😛

  • Michelle from The Cooking Life July 21, 2011, 12:31 pm

    My husband and I work at the same university, though at different colleges/departments. But, we’re able to eat lunch together 3x a week (the other 2 days, he works a night shift), at the cafeterias on campus. Granted, the food can be pretty bad sometimes 🙂 but we love getting to spend an hour together, catching up, venting about work, or whatever. It’s actually a nice time to vent because once we get home, we don’t have to talk about that stuff, b/c we already did! Plus, we stop by each other’s offices every so often and that’s a nice surprise.

  • courtney (pancakes and postcards) July 21, 2011, 12:31 pm

    Great advice! It’s really cool that you guys make it work. I can imagine how stressful or dangerous that could be otherwise but it looks like you’re doing really well.

  • Mastering Public Health (@MasPublicHealth) July 21, 2011, 12:31 pm

    Great advice, Caitlin. My parents have worked together for about 30 years and it definitely requires a balance. While you can be confident that you can trust your spouse with all things business-related (including finances) because you’re both playing for the same “team,” sometimes too much togetherness can be temporarily exasperating. While they do each work one-on-one with the public, they have sometimes lamented the lack of meaningful work friendships (e.g., no big office of “coworkers”) that others enjoy. However, it also means they also know each other better than any other couple, as I’m sure you’re discovering, as well!

  • Cat @Breakfast to Bed July 21, 2011, 12:32 pm

    Ok, but if you get really mad at him, can you stick him with needles until he makes a funny face?

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 6:56 pm

      Obviously!

  • Jess July 21, 2011, 12:32 pm

    Great post! My boyfriend and I work at the same high school. He teaches and I work in the Advancement Office so we are literally separated most of the time. Even though we’re in totally different realms within the school, I agree with all of your points – especially the ones pertaining to discussions of work outside the ‘office.’ Early on, too often in our relationship, we got sucked in talking about school stuff because his roommates were all alumni. You need fun, non-work related activities, friends and conversations to keep the love alive!

  • Laurel (Runaway Laurel) July 21, 2011, 12:33 pm

    I work at the same place as my boyfriend, but we don’t work near each other. It is nice being able to pop in to say hi every now and then though. Thanks for the tips, it sounds like you’ve got it figured out 🙂

  • Lisa @ Sunny Seed Stories July 21, 2011, 12:34 pm

    This is very helpful advice–even for those of us who do not work with our spouses. I believe in either case, it is very important to set boundaries for your home life so that work does not invade. Great post!

  • Lindsey July 21, 2011, 12:35 pm

    Awesome post and tips! Me and my husband are hoping to start a business in the near future and though he would keep his day job and this would be more my business, it would require a lot more work together! So I will keep this post in mind 🙂 Thanks!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 8:54 pm

      Good luck with your biznasty!

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over July 21, 2011, 12:37 pm

    Great tips Caitlin! It’s great that you can make it work so well.

  • Andrea @ Onion in My Hair July 21, 2011, 12:39 pm

    Love these pics!

    Reminds me of this week’s episode of “Flipping Out” on Bravo. Jeff Lewis is not a very supportive partner! 😉

  • Leah @ Why Deprive? July 21, 2011, 12:39 pm

    This is such good advice, even if you’re not working with family. You spend a LOT of time with the people you work with, and I think its important to get along with all of them, regardless of your personal feelings towards them. I work in an office with people that are really difficult to get along with, but I have to make it work because otherwise, life would suck.

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 21, 2011, 12:39 pm

    great tips! It’s nice to see a family business that is healthy and actually works. My husband was in business with his family a few years back and let’s just say it completely tore the family apart. Without going into details, there was fighting over everything from management (or mis management) to money. It ended quite sadly and I’m glad my husband (we) got out when we did because luckily it was before the decline.

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 21, 2011, 12:40 pm

    I don’t work with my family so I can’t relate too much to this — although I love that you mention that it is ok to talk about work at home, just not all the time. I just want to relax at home, and sometimes thinking about work (or hearing about others’ work) is exhausting and that is not how I want to feel after a long day at work!

  • Audrey July 21, 2011, 12:41 pm

    My husband and I both are attorneys and we practice at my dad’s law firm. It has definitely been an adjustment but it’s so nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of, and of course when I have a bad day and I want to complain, he completely understands where I’m coming from. The hardest thing has been hearing my husband complain about his boss, my father, because I am a daddy’s girl and had a hard time accepting that he could be difficult to work with at times. I have had to learn to isolate criticism of my dad “the boss” from my dad “the dad”. I love having my husband at the office with me and now I couldn’t imagine it any other way!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 8:55 pm

      This is good advice – to separate the employer from the relative!

  • Kelley July 21, 2011, 12:42 pm

    My fiance and I have discussed a few times the idea of working together, but ultimately decided it wouldn’t work. In the relationship, I’m mature but often silly, crazy and fun. I also enjoy the role he plays taking such good care of me. However, at work, I can be real bossy. I expect a lot from people and work comes first, but I swear I’m not a jerk (no one has said that anyways…) Its two sides of me that are very different but I love both parts of me. It could just get ugly.

  • Dani July 21, 2011, 12:45 pm

    Excellent post! I need to find those tempeh strips. I haven’t seen them.

  • Mary July 21, 2011, 12:48 pm

    My mom and dad owned a business for 20 something years together. My dad said that it was the hardest thing that they probably ever did. It did kind of put a damper on their marriage, especially after they decided to go out of business. They’re fine now though, but I give major kudos to you and the hus for rockin’ it out 🙂

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness July 21, 2011, 12:56 pm

    This is such an interesting post – even though I don’t work with my significant other, it’s really cool to get insight into balancing a working and “loving” relationship 🙂 xyx

  • Amanda July 21, 2011, 12:57 pm

    Great post and great tips! My parents have worked together for 20+ years. They have a very unique relationship (they started dating at ages 12/15, got married at 18/21 and have been married for 29 years) and I think that helps to make it work for them. They aren’t as good at leaving “business for work hours (they answer the business phone whenever it rings and their office in their house) but it still works. I commend your ability to really separate the two! I think it is refreshing to hear about couples who work well together. I always thought my parents’ relationship was a fairytale, and I still kind of do, but fairytales are nice when you hear so much about divorce!

  • Mia July 21, 2011, 12:59 pm

    I don’t work with family, but this post reminded me of a very uncomfortable situation I had at the dentist a few months ago. My dentist’s wife is also his assistant/receptionist. One time she was glowing in a temporary crown for me and apparently she used the wrong glue. When the dentist came back into the room he started yelling at her in front of me (well, behind my actually..), and basically called her an idiot! I swear to you I almost cried as I was sitting there with my mouth pryed open. It was so freaking awkward!!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 8:56 pm

      That is so awk. And totally unprofessional.

  • Kelly July 21, 2011, 1:08 pm

    I think it’s great that you guys can work together and live together successfully. My husband and I spent 24/7 together for a period of about 18 months. It was a learning experience, but it was also a test of our relationship and we got on really well, considering the amount of time we were in each other’s presence. I think it says a lot about a couple (and of course, you both as individuals) when you can spend a lot of time around each other and not end up bickering and/or hating each other. It also highlights how much respect there has to be in the relationship for it to work on this level. Well done!

  • Jennyv July 21, 2011, 1:13 pm

    My husband and I just signed a lease for our office we are opening this fall. Thank you for the great tips and timely advice !

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 8:57 pm

      Good luck with your new office!

  • Kristen @ notsodomesticated July 21, 2011, 1:15 pm

    The pictures of you guys together are so cute!! I think it would definitely be a challenge to work with your husband. One of my best friends owes an insurance agency, and her husband currently works for her. I think that situation would be particularly difficult. Like it or not, it’s going to at least somewhat affect a man’s ego to work under his wife. And they have definitely had their challenges with the situation. It requires both individuals to communicate, keep it professional, and check their egos at the door. That can be tough! But it sounds like you and your husband are doing an incredible job of both working and playing together!! Kudos to you! 🙂

  • Nikki T July 21, 2011, 1:23 pm

    Great post!
    I also work at a ‘family business’ per se…It’s a company I’ve kind of grown up with as my dad is part owner, and now, for the past 6 years, I’ve worked in the office myself.
    It works for my dad and I and technically he isn’t my direct boss. I know a lot of the long time employees like they are family as they have known me For.EVER (like literally, some have known me since the day I was born!). Some people think its wierd, but it works for me.
    As you said, you need to draw a line on who is the ‘boss’ and work with it. When I see these people outside of work, my dad included, we rarely talk about work…unless, of course, I’m trying to gain more vacation time! LOL

    I’m glad you and the Husband have a great working relationship!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 8:57 pm

      Good tips Nikki : )

  • Kara July 21, 2011, 1:24 pm

    You’re a better woman than me because I don’t think I could make it one week with my husband as my boss. 🙂

  • Kate July 21, 2011, 1:26 pm

    Aww you guys are so cute 🙂 Great advise!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 21, 2011, 1:36 pm

    I am rrrreally craving me some tempeh right now!! I don’t have a spouse (yet!) nor do I work with my family members, but like you said, I think it’s super important to separate work matters from home matters. It sounds like you two are doing an awesome job of making it work!

  • Jennie July 21, 2011, 1:39 pm

    Caitlin…I really like this post. My parents owned a small business together for so many years. It brought back memories! There was a huge rule in our house…when the phone rang you STOPPED talking/playing/yelling. Everything had to freeze. My mom had four little kids running around…the phone would ring and BAM- silence! She must have loved calls 🙂 We were very disciplined (and my dad was very strict)…so much so that I still clam up when I hear a phone ring! All my siblings do, it’s sort of funny. Old habits.

    Anyway, I wanted to point out to everyone, especially your readers who think this post doesn’t really apply to them, it does. The second you have a baby you have a working relationship with your spouse. You don’t get paid, but it’s the most important job the two of you will ever have. You have to work together and ALL of Caitlin’s tips apply in some way or another.

    My husband and I are figuring out these roles. Example: I’m in charge of feeding the baby (nursing). He’s in charge of bath time (it terrifies me). We can help each other but can’t interfere with the other person’s “speciality.” So I had to stop standing over his shoulder in the tub yelling, “watch her head! She’s turning her head! She’s going to swallow the water!” Haha. The husband sat me down and politely told me I was banned from tubby time unless I could calm down…so I have.

    We split everything else but it’s so much work…it’s like having one extremely noisy, messy client — who is almost never satisfied! 🙂 Ahh, newborns! But, like most jobs…it is VERY rewarding!

    Thanks for the great post, Caitlin!

    • Amanda July 21, 2011, 1:48 pm

      Haha, my parents run a business from home too and we had the same rule! As soon as that phone rang the house was silent!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 8:59 pm

      I love how you all had to be quiet when the phone rang. And I love what you said about the baby.

  • cathy July 21, 2011, 1:40 pm

    great tips, caitlin!
    we ran our own business out of our home for over 10 years. i would heartily second a couple of your ideas: 1) define your roles, who is in charge of what. in our case, it worked really well because our strengths were in different areas, as were our responsibilities and interests. 2) it’s ok to use down time to talk business: our best brainstorming sessions were out on “walk n talks,” away from the office. 3) know when to shut ‘er down for the day. esp if working from home, or else the business can become 24/7 and a third person in your partnership!
    great topic – thanks for sharing your situation!

  • Penny July 21, 2011, 1:46 pm

    It would be very difficult (near impossible) to let my husband “boss” me. However, that is just the relationship we have I guess. It would not be good for us. You and the husband are awesome.

  • Jill @ Jill is Active July 21, 2011, 2:06 pm

    Great post and great recommendations!!

    Just wanted to let you know, I just bought a Diva Cup. Thanks for bringing that to my attention- I’m so happy I’m doing my part to not have tampons end up in landfills!

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 8:59 pm

      Yay! I hope you like it.

  • Ashley @ Thefitacademic July 21, 2011, 2:13 pm

    Such great advice & what a fun post! I don’t know that I could work for/with my hubbs, but it’s awesome that you guys seem to make it work so well!

  • Stace July 21, 2011, 2:23 pm

    I worked with my girl friend when we first started dating. It actually worked really well. We were not right next to each other but we did see each other alot. I was a supervisor and she was an associate and she was super respectful of that at the work place (as was I). After working together it was wierd not to anymore (we moved to PA from NC). It’s strange to think she spends alot hours per week at a place that I have no concept of (people, office etc) if that makes any sense. We do still do alot of work talk with each other but it is totally different when you don’t know the people/issues first hand. It is nice to have a part of lives as our own but i think we work both ways. We have toyed around with starting our own business and becasue we have worked together before it makes me confident that we could do it sucessfully (on the emotional/communication side).

  • Sarah@The Flying ONION July 21, 2011, 2:26 pm

    I’ve never had a family run business before, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading your tips and suggestions. They all make a world of sense, and I think you and the husband are doing a wonderful job of making things work. 😀

  • Mary July 21, 2011, 2:26 pm

    My husband and I used to work together, and I miss it now. I liked being able to see and talk to him any time during the day. We were able to help each other out with work-related problems much easier than we are now (we still do sometimes!). This sounds silly, but I really miss being able to eat lunch with him 🙁

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 9:00 pm

      Awww that’s cute 🙂 You should make some lunch dates!

  • Savannah(Sweet and Savvy) July 21, 2011, 2:27 pm

    I Think it’s Amazing you maintain a healthy relationship with your husband spending that much time together! !

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) July 21, 2011, 2:42 pm

    I always look at couples who work together and wonder how they keep their relationship strong in spite of being together A LOT more often than otherwise. This was a good peek into that. Lot of good points, mainly: define roles, boundaries and stick to them. I think the same applies once you have kids — know when to focus on the relationship solely!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) July 21, 2011, 2:47 pm

    When the hubby and I were still in school we worked at DQ together and I love it 🙂

  • Liz July 21, 2011, 2:50 pm

    My husband & I have worked together for the last 4 years in his family business. His parents officially retired when I joined him 4 years ago. We are the third generation in his family to be a husband/wife team so there is a lot of history here.

    I have atleast one person ask me every week how I can work with my husband. I never know what to say. It just works for us. Sure, we fight, but no more than any other married person. I do go to the YMCA every morning for 2 hours so I get my socializing done while i’m exercising.

  • Kim @ Life Analytical July 21, 2011, 2:55 pm

    I worked with my boyfriend for almost a year, and I think knowing who’s in charge is key. We were technically of the same rank, but he had been with the company far longer and was my go to person when I had issues, so I kind of deferred to him across the board. In our personal relationship, I was more in charge. We had healthy respect of course, but he’s mild mannered and I’m pretty brazen, so it evolved that way naturally.

  • Theresa @ActiveEggplant July 21, 2011, 2:57 pm

    My husband & I don’t work together, but we went down to one car in January and now drive to/from work together every day. Since we have the commute time to vent about our (respective) day in the office, we don’t have to hash it out at home! It really has helped us focus more on “us” while we’re home instead of letting a bad work day spill over into our free time. It’s SO refreshing!

  • Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} July 21, 2011, 3:01 pm

    Such a cute post! I love the pics. I don’t work with my husband, but he works mostly from home so we are together a lot. Have planned separate time can be important. That sounds bad, but being apart can be good for a relationship sometimes!

  • Katie G. July 21, 2011, 3:05 pm

    You guys are too cute!

  • Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy July 21, 2011, 3:34 pm

    I don’t work with family, but my boyfriend works at his family’s business. He tells me that sometimes it creates drama since he spends a lot of time with his dad, grandpa, uncles, aunts, etc., as well as with people that aren’t related. I’m not sure I could do it!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 21, 2011, 3:35 pm

    Great tips! I might be working with my husband, so I’ll keep this in mind 🙂

  • Paige @ Running Around Normal July 21, 2011, 3:37 pm

    These are some great tips! Back when Shane worked as an appraiser with his grandpa, I worked as their secretary. We worked *ok* together. Sometimes he’d get frustrated while trying to explain stuff, but we did pretty good all in all 🙂

  • Meagan Grady July 21, 2011, 3:54 pm

    My husband and I work together, and I think it is the perfect combination. I sell real estate and he is a real estate/property appraiser. We also have our own seperate offices (complete with locking doors) and that helps a lot 😉

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 9:01 pm

      Hehe.

  • Britt July 21, 2011, 4:16 pm

    No I don’t work with family but my 5 coworkers have become family. I have to say that your hair looks so healthy and shiny! What do you use?

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 9:01 pm

      Heh – grease? Naw, really – Nature’s Gate Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner

  • Rebecca @ How the Cookie's Crumble July 21, 2011, 4:33 pm

    Great tips! I think this can be applied to situations other than couples as well. I work for a company that I travel with quite frequently and when I’m on the road I spend A LOT of time with my coworkers! Flying, working 12 hour days, dinners at nights, just grabbing a drink. It’s a strange relationship when you spend so much time with someone like that because they become more than coworkers. They’re friends and you start to learn a lot about a person and intimate parts of their lives. For me it’s always interesting to figure out how much of an open book to be. In the sense of a coworker you want to keep part of your life private, but when you spend so much time together it’s hard not to let them read the whole book.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 21, 2011, 4:36 pm

    I think I would go crazy if I had to work with my family. But you guys seem to have it all figured out. I’m so impressed with how well you’re able to separate work & your personal relationship. Kudos! 😀

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats July 21, 2011, 5:45 pm

    I always wonder what it would be like to work with my Dude – it’s like the grass is greener concept! I worked for my aunt’s art gallery/framing business all through high school and it was very much a “she’s my boss” relationship, but with a lot of discussion about family stuff. I think it actually allowed us to bond a lot while I was growing up, which is always awesome 🙂

  • Katherine July 21, 2011, 5:48 pm

    You guys are adorable!

  • Molly @ RDexposed July 21, 2011, 5:53 pm

    The Husband is such a good sport in these pictures!

  • mi-an d. July 21, 2011, 5:59 pm

    my boyfriend and i met in med school and ever since we got together, we have been placed to do the same rotations at the same hospitals until we graduated! it was awesome! now that we are applying for residency, we worked at the same place and now studying for the boards together! it’s amazing! and i love it! we’ll see where we’ll end up for residency. he wants psychiatry residency and i want family med…so we’ll be working at different departments but hopefully same hospital! 🙂

    • Caitlin July 21, 2011, 9:02 pm

      Aw I love that you met in med school and will do residency together. It’s like Grey’s Anatomy!

  • Kate July 21, 2011, 6:52 pm

    Love this post. My husband and I worked together for several years at his family’s custom home building business. My father in law was our boss, and my husband and I were in different offices of the model home we worked in. Thus, clients also did not always know that I was the hub’s wife. I thought it gave a lot more authority to us, both, even though – just as at the clinic – people knew it was a family business. It seems to work well to have people respect you for your role/work ethic, rather than your relationship. That aside, I was very happy the day I became employed outside of the family business – it automatically gave us the ability to “vent” more about our day/co-workers if we needed to because neither of us felt we needed to protect or defend anybody. And it was also amazing how much we missed each other after having been in one another’s presence ALL.DAY.LONG for a few years. 😛 Well done to you both for making your working relationship work so well!

  • Christine @ BookishlyB July 21, 2011, 7:01 pm

    I don’t work with any family members because I really would to remain on good terms… and alive 😉

  • Heidi - apples under my bed July 21, 2011, 7:08 pm

    great tips here Caitlin!!
    Heidi xo

  • Karin July 21, 2011, 7:11 pm

    Love these pictures Caitlin!

  • Khushboo July 21, 2011, 7:45 pm

    Love that you and K are able to make your working relationship work so well! Up until reading this post, the thought of working with family was so unappealing but glad to know that it has potential to be a good fit!

  • Maggie July 21, 2011, 7:54 pm

    I think there are some great tips in here about working in general. I did a whole blog post about how I stopped talking about/thinking about/focusing on work when I’m not at work. You’re there 8+ hours a day, why mentally be there anymore?

  • Wendy July 21, 2011, 8:42 pm

    Great tips, even for any type of relationship! I went to university taking the same major with my Dude (4 years) and when looking for jobs, ended up being offered one somewhere remote, and threw his resume in for consideration just to see (since there were limited opportunities to work in that field here), and now we have been working together for the last 3.5 years! Same department, different branch, as we are not allowed to work in the same branch or have the same supervisor. At first I never saw him, we were in different buildings, but then he moved branches, and now we do a lot of our work together. Shop talk after work is sometimes an issue, but it’s great to vent once in a while. At work we’re quite professional and work together like typical coworkers. Most people don’t realize we’re together until someone tells them!

  • Alex @ Working Housewife July 21, 2011, 8:44 pm

    My entire family works for our family business- My grandfather and his brother started it, my grandmother is the accountant, my dad mom and uncle work with patient accounts. I on the other hand did not follow in my family’s footsteps.

    Nevertheless, my family has made it work through almost 3 generations and I am proud to come from a ‘family business’ family. Keep it up because your children will be proud of it too!

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul July 21, 2011, 8:48 pm

    Wowww these are truly great tips Caitlin! It’s crazy b/c my parents have never ever been apart for at least 15 years!!! They’ve always worked together, driven together, everything!! My mom doesn’t drive either. I’m thankful to God that they’re still ok and have overcome obstacles. BTW, that picture of husband giving you the finger is so cute 😀

  • Kris July 21, 2011, 11:03 pm

    Almost every medical practice I have worked in is a family business. Sometimes it works great, and sometimes not. When it doesn’t work, it’s REALLY uncomfortable for others who work there and we have to work hard to make sure it doesn’t ever affect the patients. Right now I work for a couple who don’t communicate well, and often won’t take phone calls from each other. Then they bring the negativity to the office. I wish they could see a video of themselves.

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 6:15 am

      they won’t take phone calls from each other?! yikes.

  • Rosi July 22, 2011, 2:06 am

    My mom and I work together (as co-workers, not one over the other) and so much of what you said still is true. We keep our work life separate from family life. When we are within working hours, we talk about work, but family time is exactly that.
    We also have a business together (newly starting) and are dealing with that too.
    We have the view that we are both on the same level when it comes to work and business and don’t let it become a parent/child thing. When we are at work or doing business, we are equals and both hear the other out with ideas and otherwise.
    A lot of people we work with don’t even know we’re related unless they ask. Like you said, it’s not something we announce to everyone… although, it’s not a big secret either.

  • Luna July 22, 2011, 5:30 am

    “I think it’s important to draw the line between your real life and your work like – no matter WHAT your job or WHO you work with!” You’re absolutely right and I totally second this. i think this is the major point that made our working together so hard – husband apparently doesn’t like to separate, and I feel I can’t breath or that I am with my boss all.the.time.
    This is why I am looking for a different job right now. I think you are really awesome for being able to balance everything out so well!!

    • Caitlin July 22, 2011, 6:17 am

      Good luck getting some space 😉

  • Corrie Anne July 22, 2011, 9:44 am

    Haha. What a sweet post! I love the pictures. I always tell my husband I wish he could work from home or be self-employed so we could work together. I think I would love it!!

  • Amber K July 22, 2011, 12:35 pm

    Is that tempeh gluten-free? I’ve never found any that was, but then I didn’t look very hard either.

    You and the Husband are adorable together. I don’t know if I could be around my husband that much. He’s in a field that has not been doing well in the recession and he’s been laid off twice and we definitely had times where we got on each other’s nerves when he was home all the time.

  • Sonia (the Mexigarian) July 22, 2011, 3:28 pm

    I work at my father’s mechanical engineering machine shop. I typically stay in the office doing paper, computer work but also clean parts, clean machines, make deliveries and pick up and whatever else he asks me to do. Sometimes working here dries me nuts. But I love being here with my dad and making sure things run asd smooth as possible. When my mom comes to the office though . . . well. . . that’s another story. eeep.

  • Jackie @ That Deep Breath July 22, 2011, 7:24 pm

    Great post! I don’t know that I could ever work with a family member…it definitely takes a lot of communication and understanding!

  • Shelby March 6, 2013, 9:28 am

    2 months after our wedding, my husbands job offered to transfer him to another office on the opposite side of the country. The opportunity was awesome, but short term so finding work for me would have been a challenge. His company hired and transfered me as well and for nearly 3 years, and 3 states later, we’ve spent nearly every moment together. Moving that much doesn’t give you much time to make and maintain other relationships so we are rock solid. I loooooooove that we’ve been able to do this and make it work. But, now I’m pregnant with twins and will be a SAHM once they arrive. It will be soooooo strange to be apart 10-12 hours a day, basically our entire marriage has been spent glued to each other up until this point.

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