Struggling to find that perfect gift for the father who has everything? (Perhaps a little too much of it?)

Some dads pretend to like ties, others wouldn’t say no to new golf clubs. What most working dads could use this year, however, is a better/work life balance.

At least, if a recent survey of more than 800 men – employed full-time, with children 18 and under living in the household – is any indication.

According to CareerBuilder’s annual Father’s Day Survey, more fathers report struggling to find a work/life balance today than a year ago.

Maybe, however, that’s because – and here’s the good news – the majority (84 percent) of working dads who were laid off over the last 12 months say they have found full-time employment again.

But much like asking for directions, giving up the breadwinner role post-recession is something few dads are willing to do. (Men! Amirite??)

According to the survey, only 33 percent of working dads who aren’t the sole financial provider for their household said they would quit their jobs if their spouse or significant other made enough money to support the family, down from 44 percent five years ago. 

Longer Hours, Less Quality Time
The survey also found that leaner staffs and heavier workloads have dads putting in longer hours away from home.

• 22 percent work more than 50 hours per week on average, up from 19 percent last year
• 39 percent spend two hours or less with their children each day, and 16 percent spend one hour or less.

And if they’re not away at the office, they might as well be:

• 20 percent reported they bring home work at least three days per week.
• 34 percent have missed at least two significant events in their child’s life due to work in the last year
• 19 percent said they have checked work voicemail or e-mail during their children’s events.

Given these findings, it’s not surprising that 21 percent said they feel their work has had a negative impact on their relationship with their children.

A Career and Kids? Can Men Truly Have It All?
According to Alex Green, General Counsel for CareerBuilder and father of three, it’s not surprising that more fathers are reporting difficulty balancing their home life with their jobs.

“As companies downsized during the recession and work demands accelerated, we saw dads having a harder time finding balance between providing for their families financially and spending quality time with them, ” Green says.

The key to maintaining a balance, he says, is open communication and planning ahead at both work and home.“  It’s also important to cut yourself some slack,” Green adds.“ Even the best dads need a break sometimes.”

5 Tips for Maintaining a Better Work/Life Balance
Green recommends the following tips to help working dads find a better balance at work and home:

1. Talk about it – Remember that communication is a two-way street.  Besides just listening to what is going on in your family’s lives, talk about what is going on in your office, so everyone understands why you are away or have to do some work when you are home.
2. Scheduling is key to success – Add every family member’s schedule to one master calendar so there are no surprises.  Also, save vacation days for important events and talk to your supervisor about flexible work arrangements.
3. Establish a “no work” zone – Put down your Blackberry and avoid checking e-mails from the time you arrive home until after your children have gone to sleep.
4. Consider flexible work arrangements – More companies are offering telecommuting options, flexible hours, condensed work weeks and other arrangements.  Approach your boss with a game plan of how the new arrangement would work and how it can ultimately benefit the organization.
5. It’s okay to say no – In addition to actual work, sometimes activities associated with your job can take a toll on your free time. Determine what additional activities you can turn down and which are necessary so that you can free up more of your time outside of the office.