Boundaries Are Key to Balancing Caregiving and Career
2.6.2026
Balancing the obligations of caregiving and career takes knowing how to set boundaries and manage expectations. At a seminar presented by the New York State Bar Association, panelists discussed ways lawyers can manage the demands of their professional and personal responsibilities.
Kimberly Bonds Grocher, a licensed mental health professional and executive coach, was the main speaker. She has a doctorate in social work from Fordham University.
Melissa G. Andrieux, partner and chief impact officer at Dorf Nelson & Zauderer, served as the moderator.
Grocher stressed the importance of setting boundaries in both the office and the home.
“Often, we approach these conversations very apologetic, versus framing it as managing an expectation,” Grocher said.
“So if I am communicating to you that I’m available until 8 p.m., what this allows is that you know that you can contact me up until that time,” Grocher explained. “It’s also an opportunity for you to know that even though I’m not available after 8 p.m., there’s a plan in place… So that the work can continue, so that things can be taken care of. It’s also an opportunity for me to demonstrate to you how to set a boundary. You don’t necessarily have to think of it that way, but that’s often what happens. When we model boundary setting, it also allows other people to realize that boundaries are possible, they can be respected, and they’re not a negative thing.”
Grocher said the same philosophy can also be applied to taking care of aging parents or young children, as long as all caretakers are on board.
“You all are reiterating the same message to the child,” said Grocher. “Age-appropriate messages, consistency, communicating with them what they can expect, and giving them an opportunity to have their feelings, within reason. I think a lot of times, without realizing it, we try to make kids feel like there’s something wrong with them if they’re having a reaction to the routine or reaction to change, versus creating a container for them where they’re able to have it, and you’re still letting them know this is what’s happening.”
Grocher also spoke about the importance of delegating tasks, and understanding that there is a difference between a colleague who may do a task differently versus a colleague who does a task incorrectly.
“Maybe I need to work on being OK with it being done, even if it’s not done the way I would do it, versus they don’t have the skills, training, whatever it is, to be able to take care of that, and I do,” said Grocher. “So that might be something that I need to take on.”
The speakers also discussed the importance of support systems and being open about the responsibilities of work and caregiving.
Andrieux said it was important to have conversations like this webinar so that people know they are not alone. “We’re all going through something,” she said. “We’re all struggling to balance our professional life and our personal life.”
The New York State Bar Association’s Women in Law Section sponsored the program.
