I'm sitting in "How To Negotiate Workplace Alternatives: Full time, Part time, Flextime" moderated by Danna Greenberg, Assistant Professor of Management at Babson College.

A few great takeaways for negotiating and working a flexible schedule whether it is for children, elder care, or quality of life:

• Try to make it work internally - push for part-time, flex time, job sharing.  Blaze some trails and be a role model
• Try to use positive language when negotiating such as "flexible schedule" or "reduced schedule" as opposed to "part-time" and collaborate with your manager to find a solution that works with both of you
• Don't focus on hours; focus on what you can get done
• Don't be afraid to delegate
• Be verbal and vocal about career-family integration - give it validity
• Look for efficiencies if you are full or part time - examples such as paid housekeeping, online banking, Peapod services
• Don't settle - seek out the flexible opportunities and do what it takes to succeed in those opportunities
• Find an internal champion - the senior male who has the wife or daughter who is working because he has the perspective of what it is like for her to juggle and balance work with life
• Never apologize for working at home or for your flexible schedule
• Flexible arrangements can work but...you have to be flexible yourself.  If there is something important and you need to be there, you should be there.  Don't allow yourself to be left behind