I'm new to the site, and I have just started working part-time about 4 months ago. I'm a married mom of 4, and finding it hard to keep up. One thing that has been my saving grace is my before bedtime routine. I don't always get it done, but I just start over the next day. I make sure the kitchen is cleaned up, dishes put away, mine and the kids clothes pulled out for tomorrow, all backpacks, purses, coats and shoes by the back door, lunches made. Then I take care of myself, wash up, brush and floss, vitamins. If I have time, I'll read from whatever book is on the nightstand, or I'll do a top coat on my nails. It feels good to go to bed and know things are ready, and I hardly have to think in the morning. It is all about the balance. Making sure I do something for myself everytime I do something for someone else.

Permalink:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/new_girl.html

Trackback URL:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/new_girl.trackback

It seems I've been apologizing a lot lately...to my friend because I didn't help her move, to my son because I forgot Dress Up As Your Favorite Book Character Day, to my neighbor for not returning her phone call, to my daughter for falling asleep before I tucked her in, to my son for not washing his favorite jeans for his non-uniform day, and on and on. 

Luckily most of the people I'm apologizing to are running around trying to get everything done and like me, are not being too successful.  It reminds me of something my 104 year old grandmother used to say..."You can't be all things to all people."  So why am I trying?  I do need to be a good mother and a good friend and a good wife.  But being a good mother means it's high time I teach my 13 year old how to do his own laundry.  It also means saying no to some requests or not volunteering to do so much. 

And guess what....my little man wasn't at all bothered when he got to school and lots of kids were dressed up and he was in his usual school clothes.  He just said he was Thomas from the yearbook!! 

Permalink:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/please_accept_my_apology.html

Trackback URL:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/please_accept_my_apology.trackback

I had an encounter on my way to work today with the manager of the deli department at my local grocery store.  I am constantly made fun of for knowing everyone's name who works at the grocery store and for chatting so much that it takes me extra time to do my shopping.  Today's conversation, however, was particularly eye opening. 

I've been aware that this particular employee is currently working 50+ hours a week  at the grocery store and taking courses to get his MBA.  He is taking 3 courses a term which is a very heavy load when added to his work schedule.  I asked him if he had a family and he responded that his family was "at home" in Ghana.  I asked a little more and learned that he's lived in the US for 6 years and goes home once a year to see his wife and 10 year old son.  

Why does he do this?  Because he wants to get ahead and provide for his family! He plans to move back to Ghana once he finishes his MBA and get a much better paying job than he could otherwise.  He said that businesses there are looking for people with experience working in the US and his MBA will make him that much more marketable. 

But at what cost?  Does he know the child he is working so hard to provide for?  I know with the internet the world is much smaller, but there is so much to be said for the daily interactions or "how was school", "do your homework", "tuck me in", "I love you", etc...  

I suspect there are many other employees at my local grocery store and elsewhere who are doing the same thing and making the huge sacrifice of not living near their families.    It's so sad, but I bet they consider themselves the lucky ones because they can provide for their families back home. 

 

Permalink:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/where_shopping_is_a_pleasure.html

Trackback URL:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/where_shopping_is_a_pleasure.trackback

What do you all do when there is a day off from school (or several in a month) and you work? II'm a single mom, my son is 12, so he can fend for himself for a couple of hours, but not all day! Do you swap off with other moms? Take your child to work with you? :) Work from home? (But still, how bored is my son if I'm working all day upstairs?) Any ideas?

Permalink:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/holidays_from_school.html

Trackback URL:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/holidays_from_school.trackback

I have been so saddened by the story of the mom of two children who left her two year old daughter in the car while she went to work. The story is that she is an assistant principal and altered her morning routine by stopping to get donuts for her staff. She unloaded her goodies by the front door, parked her car at work and left her sleeping 2 year old in her car seat. (This was all captured on the school’s security video.) Tragically, she didn’t return until 8 hours later and her daughter had died in the car where the temperature registered 150 degrees!

I saw the videotape of her police interview on The Today Show. It was hard to watch her go through such grief and raw emotion. What was evident is that she is a very busy working mom. I suspect she is a single mom as no father was interviewed for the story or even mentioned. Are we all just running around like chickens with our heads cut off and not caring for the most important people in our lives, our children? Are we doing for others instead of our own families?

What do you think?

Permalink:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/are_we_really_that_busy.html

Trackback URL:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/are_we_really_that_busy.trackback

Why does it always seem that when the school year starts I feel like I am spiraling out of control?  I admit I am not the most organized individual but I am by no means the worst.  I don't work full-time so I shouldn't complain but where do all of the hours in the day go.  I substitute teach and work another part-time job but that can't possibly take up all of my time!!  As  I start to look at all of the volunteer jobs I have said "yes" to, I begin to see where the time goes.   Why can't I "just say no"?  I wonder if because I don't work full time, I somehow think I have to "earn my keep".  My husband certainly doesn't make me feel this way it is all in my head.  I love volunteering because I am happiest when I am doing things for other people.  I guess when it comes down to it, it is all about balance.  Does anyone else feel this way about their life?

Permalink:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/just_say_no.html

Trackback URL:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/just_say_no.trackback

I have had a great summer!!  My children are finally at an age where I can do somethings for myself!  It's been so nice being able to leave them at the pool or at home, go to work and know all is well! 

They have even helped me out by doing chores at home while I've been working some this summer.  I think it gives them a new appreciation for what I get done during the school year when they are gone! 

After 14 years of being a full time mom, I feel I am getting a little of my identity back by working, if only part time.  It's a great escape and a wonderful way to put all those minor household chores that can weigh you down into perspective.  I also think it makes me more productive when I am at home!  Anyone else feel this way? 

Permalink:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/juggling_kids_work_and_summer.html

Trackback URL:
http://community.connectwithkids.com/post/jugglingwork/juggling_kids_work_and_summer.trackback