Work It: a blog for Working Moms

Potty Training

by Stephanie G.

Potty training my daughter wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I started when my daughter was nearing 2 years old. I noticed a spot where she would hide to use #2. As soon as I saw her doing so, I would rush her to the potty chair. After a while, I wasn't so enthused about cleaning the whole mess. I decided to buy a child potty seat that fits over the toilet.

After rushing her to the toilet for #2, she caught on quickly. I was so amazed. Now she knew that for #2, we had to rush to the bathroom. I can't tell you how proud and relieved I was, because she caught on within a month or two. During this time, I became pregnant with my son, so for me as long as she took care of the real business on the potty, that was great for me. It was more convenient for me to change her pull-up, then to be rushing her to the potty all the time. Now I feel bad for having prolonged her training.

By the time my son came around, my daughter was about to be three. It was time to finish what I had started. I began one Saturday I knew we would be home all day. In the morning, I took her straight to to potty. But as the day progressed, I began with breakfast, then dishes and I would absolutely forget about having to take her periodically. I know I should have been more focused. But as my regular Sat. routine began, here I would find my little girl at my knees, "Mommy, I'm wet", over and over again. So, I went back to the pull-ups.

After a couple of weeks, I knew I had to go cold turkey. I didn't want to confuse her by putting them on some of the time and not others. So, we dealt with the messes and I tried to stay more focused. Sure enough, she caught on within days, no more pull-ups and no more messes. For nighttime, we go potty before bedtime and first thing in the morning. My husband was amazed that she stays dry through the night. I'm just glad it's finished and done. 

What has worked for you?  I'd love to hear some of your methods.

I Don't Need the Extra Stress

by Amy W.

As a working Mom, I have enough stress. Doing a good job at work, getting dinner on the table each night, running between soccer practice for my oldest and band practice for me. Meetings, deadlines, birthday parties all loom over me each week. I tend to handle the stress fairly well.

Recently it was evident that I wasn't handling the current stress load very well. We were waiting word on whether or not our oldest got into a magnet school program for kindergarten next year. Some people in our area had letters, but we did not even though we were told all were mailed out on the same day. Come to find out, they were not all mailed out on the same day as a sorting machine had broken and the mailing went out in batches. I guess our batch was last.

Neighbors came over to play, and my youngest was whiny and clingy and in general not happy. I was waiting for my husband to get home so I could run to a board meeting for the community band I am in. My husband arrived with minutes to spare, and I ran out the door.

And then my youngest wasn't whiny or clingy or not happy anymore. Even my neighbor commented to my husband that she was acting totally different.

So was my stress affecting her as well? I didn't think I was doing anything different, but maybe I was. Maybe there was some stress in my voice or in my actions.

All I know is I am going to try harder to keep my stress in check around my kids. For their sake and mine.

Not A Rock Star Mommy

by Terri

Last night, I accompanied my sister-in-law to a Make-A-Wish function that my brother had organized. It was a sports auction that included a silent auction beforehand and then moved onto a live auction in the main dining room. There were lots of munchies and free alcohol and plenty of stars.

As I moved around the room, I couldn't help but to be star-struck. There was Bob Costas, Shaquille O'Neil and many other local sports players and celebrities. Katrina Campos (remember her from the first season of "The Apprentice") sat at our table. There were professional cheerleaders from all of the local sports teams. So many people with perfect, fat-free bodies who looked like they just walked out of the hair salon. Let's face it. They probably did.

And there I was eating egg rolls and sipping a diet coke and texting my better half to let him know that a double-D cup cheerleader just brushed up behind me. I looked at myself in the mirror and realized I still had cheerios in my hair that my two year old put there because it was funny. I look down at my slight belly roll and the little bit of cellulite and remind myself that I have four kids and no one is lining up to shake my hand.

The live auction starts and I am dumbfounded at how wealthy people just throw money around. Don't get me wrong. I was not complaining. Make-A-Wish is an outstanding cause and I am glad that the money pays for kids' wishes. The organization is truly a miracle. I was still amazed at how much these auctioned items are going for. $10,000 for a morning with Venus Williams and Roger -whats-his-name. Yikes. I grew instantly jealous that I could not buy the golf package (a round of golf inside the ropes at the Doral Open with the big stars like Tiger Woods) for my husband. I don't live in that kind of money world. 

But as the night ended and I got home and walked through my door, I walked over to my 4 year old daughter's room. She was still awake and in bed. The greatest smile lit up her face when she saw me. She extended her hands out and gave me the biggest hug and kiss and told me she loved me. I tucked her into bed with a big smile on my face.

When it comes right down to it, the celebrities have their money and the cool status that goes with it but at my house, I have pure gold.

Mini vacation

By Stephanie G.

This week I had an injury that has forced me to stay home with my kids for a few days. It was a bee sting right on my left hand. I now have one hand that resembles the all famous Hamburger Helper. During our nightly prayer at the dinner table, a bee was apparently hiding underneath the tablecloth. Thankfully, I was the target, since the kids were playing close by. The extra time with the kids has really made me forget my pain in my hand. I really miss just hanging around in our pj's and watching cartoons all day. I love being a kid again with my own children. I could color for hours and love just making a mess while playing on the floor with them.

My eight month old son, Cristian is embarking on the road of curiosity. He's so happy and playful. I sit him on his boppy in our living room let his curiosity run wild. He's such an explorer. I just know crawling is right around the corner for us. He has such a unique personality. He can be so loud and playful at times, then he's so calm and peaceful. Certainly, time is flying by with him. I remember the very day he came home like it was yesterday. 

And then there's Andrea, my three-year old daughter. She had such a vivid imagination. Right now she's into anything princess. She loves to sing and dance to almost anything she hears. She, also, has fun acting silly and making her little brother laugh. She can be such a caring, thoughtful little girl. I remember when I was pregnant and having a very bad, emotional day. All I wanted was a bubble bath to see if I would feel better. Well, she walked into the bathroom and saw me crying.  She immediately was trying to make me feel better. Her words were," wanna play cous cous?  ya gotta find a cous cous," Of coarse, she was talking about Blue's Clues. She's just such a cheerful toddler.   

Spending these few days at home makes me realize how much of a blessing my children are to me. It felt really good to take a break, and be a little child again. I guess it was a break that I really needed. A time of refreshing and renewing, which I think we all could use every once in a while. If it were up to me, I'd do it every few months. But as my wound heals, looks like I'll be back to work tomorrow.

Hannah Montana made me cry

by Amy S.

You wouldn't have caught me at the first week opening of the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds Concert movie. But since it's been playing now for weeks (so much for that one-week run, eh?), I decided to take my 5-year-old daughter to it recently. She's a little young and doesn't actually watch the TV show much, but I figured she'd enjoy it. And hey, it's in 3D. And yes, maybe I was a little excited about it, too. I'm a pop-music junky.

The truth is, it was really cool. The little girls in the audience (which was small and tame, just my type of audience) kept reaching their hands out to "touch things" for the first few minutes of the movie - the 3D effect definitely added a lot. (And the glasses were much cooler than the old red/blue things we used to have to wear.) A girl behind us who looked to be around seven or eight knew every lyric and sang along the whole time in a very sweet girly voice.

My daughter was most excited about the songs she knew - which were about two of them - but she enjoyed the whole movie. At about an hour long, it's just right - although I hate to say it, she was fading during the two Jonas Brothers songs. She was right back in it again when Miley showed up. I actually got teary-eyed several times. I know my daughter is about to hit that age where she will worship the ground older girls walk on. It's already happening. And it was nice to sit with her, dance with her and share an appreciation for this performer, who does seem to make a point of keeping things real and age-appropriate.

Calmly waiting

by Joy

In two weeks, I am due to have my third child and so far, I am the calmest I have ever been in my history of being pregnant. I thought I would be more panicked than I am, but here I am surprising myself by being rational, calm and incredibly excited. I have purchased all the necessities for the baby, and I do mean necessities, not the entire baby store as I initially did when I had my daughter seven years ago. I have done all the preliminaries – washed the baby clothes, set up the cradle, and even made space in my cabinets for the baby bottles. 

Every time I turn around, I have “well-meaning” people tell me about the horror of having three children.  Based on what I have heard – utter household chaos! Loss of my mind and sense of well-being! Certain bankruptcy! - I should be running screaming for the hills, yet here I am sitting calmly, albeit uncomfortably just waiting to meet my new son. I am actually excited about having my third child. I cannot wait to see those little fingers and toes. Experience the first smile, first giggle, word, step, first everything all over again. I am looking forward to relishing and cherishing all those moments I enjoyed with my daughter and son, somehow this time I know that I am going to savor these moments even more. Perhaps because I am a little older and realize just how precious these moments are. Maybe it is because I am going through other changes in life – starting graduate school to change careers and leaving full-time work behind – I am not sure.

Maybe panic may never come. With three children, husband, school and a household to take care of, there may not be room for panic. The well wishers may be right, exhaustion, exasperation, and exhuberation may take up too much room. In any event, I know that in about 2-3 weeks, my world is going to change yet again and I cannot wait!

The Photo Monster

by Laura H.

The age of digital photography is both a blessing and a curse. It is wonderful to be able to see the photo right away, and to be certain that you captured the moment. It is wonderful to be able to share your digital photos with anyone and everyone who wants them. The downside of it all is that most of my pictures never leave the digital world that they were born into. Admit it. How many of you have hundreds and hundreds of pictures of your children, all stored on your computer? I don't think my children even know what a photo album is!!

When my son was a baby, I decided that I wanted to make a first year photo album in addition to his baby book. I was very ambitious at that time, and was still convinced that I was Super Mom. I was going to do it all! I ordered prints of everything from my son's first year. I bought one of those books with the special paper that slides into the nice plastic covers and plenty of extra pages to add to the book. I was ready to go...or so I thought.  What was missing? Those tiny little photo corners used to affix the pictures to the pages.  OK...so now I'm ready. I started arranging the photos on the pages. That was the fun part. The major pain was tearing off each of those little photo corners, sticking the photo on the page, and then sliding these pages back into their plastic sleeves. After MANY hours spread over several sittings, the book is still only about 75% done. 

By this point, I now had two children.  Yes...that's proof of just how long that book took me!!  Being the good mommy that I am, I didn't want my daughter to feel left out, so I knew I had to do a book for her too. I bought the blank book, but that's as far as I got. Now my daughter is going on three.  I honestly cannot remember the last time I ordered photo prints other than Christmas cards. I have done absolutely no work towards her 1st year album. I decided last week that it was time. For so many reasons, it was time to tackle the photo monster once and for all.

I did some homework and looked in to the photo services that various online photo hosts offer.  Walgreens' and CVS photo departments both offer photo hosting and custom photo books. These services are also available from websites such as Kodak Gallery, WinkFlash, and Shutterfly. Prices vary from one site to the next, so you might want to shop around a bit. I would also recommend you consider more than just price. Try out the photo book tool on more than one site, just to get a feel for how each one works and how much customization each site offers.

I found that the process is rather simple. I went through my pictures and selected which ones I wanted to use in the book. For this book, that was nearly 200 pictures. Uploading them to the photo site did take a bit of time, but that was my computer's time. The bulk of my time was spent deciding on page layouts and backgrounds. After all the photos were in place, I previewed the whole book a few times, added some captions and I was done. I think it took all of 6-8 hours to complete the whole process from start to finish. My order has been placed, and now I just sit back and wait for the finished product to be delivered to my door.

I sure wish I had done this sooner!

Precious moments

By Stephanie G.

Working for the family business, I have been blessed to be able to bring my children to work with me. It has its share of ups and downs.  For the past three years, my daughter has always been by my side. We played together, worked together, fought together, and did almost everything together. After the birth of my son, he joined us in coming along everywhere we went. At work, it was so much harder for me to concentrate having both of them at my side. My husband and I decided it was best to have someone watch the kids while I worked.

I've never felt so focused at work. I actually get to concentrate and finish my tasks quicker and easier. I am a more efficient worker. But, I must admit, it takes a lot of getting used to, because I have been their primary care-giver since birth. Even though it was not an easy thing to do, they are my children and I love them. I felt it was my duty to always be with them. Before I would never have even thought twice about having another care for my kids. It just wasn't me. At least that's how I felt when it was only me and my daughter. Now with two children, it's more difficult. I admit, I do need help. I'm grateful to have my sister- in-law come to my rescue. I know my children are safe with her and are being cared for. 

Our office has never been so quiet in such a long time. I do miss my son swinging by my side just watching me and my daughter running through the offices screaming. Now I value the time we spend together even more. These are such precious moments.  So even though I do miss them like crazy, I know this is what works best for us for the mean time.

Has anybody ever gone through the same situation, where there's nothing else to do but ask for help?

Are you ready to win some furniture?

Who couldn't use $25,000 to renovate a room in their house? Think about it - it's your very own HGTV room makeover for free! All moms deserve the opportunity to relax, restore and renew in a new, fresh space in their homes.

Room-A-Day Giveaway
Kimberly-Clark will award 16 lucky winners $25,000 to renovate any room in their house. One person each weekday will be announced the winner on The View from January 28 through February 15. The final winner will be announced March 21st on the "Room-a-Day Giveaway" Web site - where you can enter to win the sweepstakes.

Enter to win now!

Am I the only one out here

By Stephanie G.

I'll never forget that day in the doctor's office. "Did you plan on having more children," he asked. My heart sank. I was completely caught off guard. I did want more, I told him, then he suggested surgery instead of a hysterectomy. WOW! I was completely blown away. I cried the entire way home. I kept telling myself how happy my daughter made me, but I always wanted her to have siblings. After the whole ordeal and one year later, here we are with my second child, the cutest little boy I've ever seen.

I wanted another child so badly, but I never imagined I would go through what I went through. He came at 34 weeks and 4 pounds and 11 ounces. Thank God he was healthy, he just wasn't quite ready to take to a bottle yet. It was the most heart-wrenching thing I've ever been through in my life. My heart would break every time I had to leave his side. 

Some days he would do well, others he was just too exhausted. I felt so sad and it was really awkward to see him hooked up to so many monitors. The NICU nurses only added to my problems. They made me feel as if I was the one doing something wrong. All I would hear all day was "hold him like this" or "hold the bottle like that." I can't describe what I was torture I was going through inside. Finally, after what seemed like months, after two weeks we got to bring our precious baby boy home.

For the next couple of months, it was exhausting for me. He wasn't on a set schedule like my daughter.  She would eat every three hours and sleep the rest. She was, and I repeat, was so easy going as a baby.  She would just go with the flow. My son, on the other hand was so different. He was up every two hours, sometimes, every hour and a half.  My heart went out to him.  Who knows how he felt being cared for by so many different faces, plus all the noises he had to put up with all day. I was so moody, restless, and overwhelmed. I would envy the snores of my husband and daughter.  I was certain I was paying for all the bad I had done in my life. It was that bad.

Then I would  feel so guilty. I was begging, pleading for my son to come home, then here I was overwhelmed by the transition. I kept telling myself that it would get better. So, I would just take things day by day. Sure enough, after a couple of months, the nights were so much better. Maybe we were finally getting used to each other. I know it must have been hard on him, also. Now he's a happy, healthy five month old. I look back and thank God for the highs and lows we've made it through. I have my three angels by my side in everything I do and for that I am ever blessed.