Work It: a blog for Working Moms

I'm back!

by Jacquie

I’m back (said sheepishly with eyes cast down.) As for why I’ve been MIA for so long, I could use the excuse that I recently gave birth to my first child - a girl named Meghan! O I could use the excuse that I just started back to work full time two and a half weeks ago. Instead, I’ll go out on a limb and trust that you know how chaotic it’s been these past few months and beg for your understanding!

It’s interesting how I suddenly feel more at home as a contributor to this site now that I actually am a working mom and no longer an expectant one. And now that I’ve joined your ranks, I thought I’d weigh in on how I stack up against your criteria for entry to this esteemed sisterhood. Here goes:

Guilt? Check.

Fatigue? Got it.

Dream of winning the lottery? Just last night.

Regular workouts? A fond memory

Free time? Huh???

Envious of moms walking by my office window pushing strollers while sipping lattes and chatting on their cells while lugging shopping bags full of cute summer duds that I’ll never have time to shop for myself? Natch!

Ok…so maybe I’ve got a little SAHM-envy, but can you blame me? It’s summertime, and I miss my little one.  

 But I'm back and looking forward to the tips you fellow WOHMs can share with this novice!

Coffee Break: Procrastination one link at a time

Today's Link: NuVal, nutritional scoring system

Why: The ranking system measures how human health is impacted by more than 30 nutrients, along with dietary guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes. The scores for each product range from 1 to 100.

That, sounds boring. Actually it's fascinating. In some cases shocking and in others cases proves me (and my mean-according-to-my-children rules) correct. Specifically the yogurt list. All that crap aimed toward the kids is sugar and food dye, no benefits of yogurt can possibly remain.

See some scores here.

PS there are other food scoring systems out there. Compare and contrast!

The (Real) To-Do List

By Maria

At night when I crash into bed, I sometimes wonder, "What did I accomplish today?"  To answer this burning question, I kept a list of every single task I did for one day, in the hopes that I would find some comfort in what was achieved.  Here goes:
 
Have morning coffee and 15 minutes of purity before the house wakes up
Sneak in 20-minute workout 
Snuggle with daughter
Give daughter the rundown of what the day holds for her
Play Super Girl and Super Mom (two superheros who defend the house from impending danger with a wooden spoon and whisk)
Protect house from pretend mosquito and monster
Rescue two imaginary friends from pretend burning building
Make breakfast and lunches
Get ready for work
Pick location for planting
Drive to work
Triage emails
Meet with co-worker regarding upcoming events
Eat breakfast
Attend database meeting
Research new learning management system
Participate on conference call
Drive to daughter's school for pick up
Negotiate toddler meltdown

Reschedule play date
Eat lunch
Decide on stones for new walkway and porch stairs
Orchestrate naptime (not mine, unfortunately)
Draft training proposal
Make dinner
Eat dinner
Clean up kitchen
Attend pretend dance show
Prepare for bathtime ritual
Snuggle, read, fall asleep (Courtney, not me)
Collapse into bed
Catch up on the day's events on CNN.
Lights out

Now I know why I am so tired (and grateful) at the end of the day.

What interesting, exciting, and rewarding items are on your real to-do list?  

Helping Less Fortunate Women this Mothers Day

By Pam

This is my first Mothers Day as a new mom. My family is healthy and happy; we have a comfortable house and steady income. I have everything I need.  Now don’t get me wrong, a new piece of jewelry, a weekend trip, or having the popcorn texture scraped off my living room ceiling would be great, but I’m looking for something different to commemorate my first year on the mom end of this holiday.

Obviously our nation is the midst of an economic crisis. I feel fortunate that personally, other than my pathetic 401K performance, I have not been particularly impacted by this situation. But many others have not been so lucky and I am looking for a way to help. With Mothers Day quickly approaching I wonder what a mother in a completely different economic situation hopes for if she can have one wish granted. I imagine in many cases she would want basics related to health care and education for her children. Suddenly my unattractive popcorn ceiling doesn't seem so bad.

After much thought I asked my family to help mothers with concerns greater than I could ever imagine as my Mothers Day gift. Save the Children has a catalog full of ideas for helping mothers around the world as well as here at home. There are ideas for any budget and related to a variety of programs including Health, Education, Early Childhood Development and many more. After reading through the information I have decided I would like my first Mothers Day gift to be the purchase of newborn care kits as part of the Save the Children Survive to 5 program. The kit contains items to promote hygiene during delivery, a warm cap for the baby, and education for the mother on breastfeeding and infant care. These items seem very basic but could save the life of a newborn and provide a new mother with the skills to care for her child.

For Mothers Day, I urge everyone to check out your own favorite organization and find a way to help less fortunate mothers. Small gifts can go a long way, so try giving up a latte or soda for a few days and put that money toward helping mothers in need. There are women both right here at home and all around the globe who would appreciate a little help.

This year for Mother’s Day…

By Jenny

I really want new perfume, and I’d love a massage. Oh yeah, and I’d love to eat at a big expensive buffet lunch and not feel disgusted by my binge. Plus I want a personal trainer, preferably Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser, and a gym membership.

That’s the short list.

But as we’ve all heard loud and clear, cut backs are the norm now. None of us are spending like we did in 2007 and 2008. And my family is certainly no different, as evidenced by events from the last three months.

So this year, I’m asking for breakfast in bed and a few hours to myself to do whatever I want while my husband manages the household. My gift to myself will be to not feel guilty for that time and to not hurry through it.

I’ve read several articles like this one that refer to research that says women find their husbands sexier when they do things around the house, such as the dishes, taking out the garbage unasked, vacuuming and generally taking over some of the household duties. Just look at this book from Uncommon Goods for further proof! For me, it's in the gift category as well.

I appreciate my husband so much more when he pampers me on Mother’s Day and tells me he values what I do. Not to mention I find him sexy as all get out (proving the research valid). When I hear him toiling away with the kids in the kitchen, each one yelling their demands to him at the same time so that he can't understand either one, I know he’s getting a dose of my daily routine, which makes him all the more appreciative of what I do every day. Knowing he can’t call me in for backup makes it a richer gift.

For me, this is a better Mother's Day gift than anything. There are lots of "things" I want, but I only have one day per year when I get to play the mother card.  

This year I plan to play it BIG.

What are you asking for?