Work It: a blog for Working Moms

A New Job

I admit it, I don't like change. I like my routines, I like my kids being on routines. I adjust well to change as we have done plenty in our lives to include moving three hours away from our friends and families, I just don't like going through that adjustment. I may kick and scream, but the end result is always good.

A few weeks ago, I contemplated looking for a new job. The one I had paid well and the people were nice. That was it. I was completely and utterly bored at work. While some people say not having enough to do is good, you can get other stuff done, it is not good. Being at a job for 8 hours a day, doing mundane tasks is not good. There is only so much internet shopping I can do, especially when Ebay is blocked.

So I finally decided I couldn't last any longer in my current position. I quickly found a new job that not only sounds interesting, but it is different enough from what I am doing now that I think I will be challenged. The benefits are great - 5 weeks vacation, good hours, no overtime.

I was comfortable at my job - I knew everyone, I knew how to do my job. At my new job, I will be the newbie as most there have been there for over 5 years. I know I will adjust to the job, its just living through it won't be fun.

How do you handle change? Any coping mechanisms you can share?

Product Review - Grippies

by Amy W.

Corrie Wilder and Yelena Mogelefsky bonded on the Long Island Railroad while sharing the same story: their kids were slipping all over the place. Not all socks have non-skid bottoms, nor do tights. And the ones that do have non-skid bottoms, they seem to never be in the right place.

So the idea for Grippies was born. And instant, easy and economical way to add traction to the bottom of tights or socks.

I was sent a package of the Iron-On Grippies as well as the Stick-On Grippies. My entire first floor is hard wood. And both of my kids love to run circles around through the kitchen, into the dining room and back through the family room. Often times they are chasing the dog or each other. Most of their socks have non-skid bottoms, but they still tend to slip. And none of the tights I have for either girl have non-skid bottoms. To say these Grippies come in handy is an understatement.

I used both, the Iron-On ones and the Stick-On ones on socks and tights. And both worked beautifully. The stars are cute, and the girls love saying they are "stepping on stars".

But there are other uses too - not only socks and tights, but gloves and heck, socks and tights for me as well. Not that I run through the kitchen chasing the dog, but I tend to be clumsy and coming down our all wood stairs is often an accident waiting to happen. And they are helpful for keeping my feet from sliding in my shoes when I have stockings on.

Check them out for yourselves, not only are they economical, but I am sure you can find more uses for them than I could think of.

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.

Becoming a working Mom

by Amy W.

This week, my boss started back to work after being off for three months enjoying her new baby. And a special new baby it was...her and her husband went through many failed IVF cycles when they decided to adopt. They were only on the wait list for a few months when they were blessed with a baby girl.

There are many things I want to tell her...warn her about. But it seems she is already going through them. Her daughter has an ear infection and has been crabby all week. Drop offs at daycare have been hard.

Been there, done that.

I don't want to scare her and tell her it only gets harder...because it does. It's balancing work and balancing home and balancing sick kids and husbands who have to work as well.

What was the hardest for me was letting things slide...letting things go. I couldn't give 110% at work when I had a sick kid at home. I can't stay late every night just to prove I am a good worker. Instead, I have to bust that perception and prove that I can get more done in my 8 hours at the office than some who spend 12 hours a day here.

And the lack of sleep doesn't help. Heck, my youngest is two, and she still doesn't sleep through the night every night.

But coffee definitely helps...

I Can't Handle When My Kids Get Hurt

by Amy W.

On January 3rd, we thought our almost two year old was asleep in her crib. I had left her almost 30 minutes prior, and she is normally a kid who goes to sleep right away. My husband and I were shocked when we heard a crash and subsequent screaming that Audrey had climbed out of her crib.

All attempts of calming her down were futile, and when we tried to get her to hold on to her "security blanket", her sippy cup, we knew something was up. She would not use her left arm.

The decision was quickly made to go to the ER. The next decision was also made quickly; who was going to take her. Someone needed to stay home with our four year old who was already in bed. And I don't do being hurt, to include taking children to the ER.

I know at some point in my life, I may be alone with the kids and someone might get hurt and I might be the one to make the trip, but for now, my husband does it. When the kids fall, he checks them out. When Audrey had a staple in her mouth a few months ago, Ray removed it.

I know, I should be strong and hold it together, but I just can't. I can't stand for them to be hurt, and I am afraid that my emotions would get in the way and only worsen the situation.

I did make it with Audrey to the Orthopaedic doctor the next day for her cast. For some reason, that I could handle.

Easy Holiday Appetizer Recipe

Here is a great recipe for any Holiday gathering. It is for an appetizer that takes only minutes to make, can be made virtually fat free, and will be gone within minutes of you making it. I always keep extra ingredients ready to go as it seems everyone always wants seconds.

Ingredients:

1. Cream Cheese (Full Fat or Non Fat version)
2. Salsa
3. Shredded Cheddar Cheese (once again, this can be the fat free version)

Instructions:

1. Take any microwavable plate or serving dish. Cover the bottom of the dish with cream cheese.
2. On top of the cream cheese layer, cover that with salsa.
3. Over the salsa, generously spread the shredded cheese.
4. Microwave this on high for 1 - 2 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted.
5. Serve with tortilla chips or anything else that makes a good dipping tool.

And that's it! This is a favorite of mine for a couple of years...I think I might need to make this tonight...

Gifts for the Teachers and the rest of the world...

by Amy W.

I know we have discussed this before on this site.

But it is killing my wallet this year.

We have two kids in daycare. They each have two teachers, a floater teacher, as well as a cook, receptionist, director, and an owner.

Do you see the dilemma with my wallet?

Don't get me wrong, the teachers (as well as the cook, receptionist and all the employees at their daycare) are fabulous and deserve every bit of every gift they receive this year. It shows in that my four year is beginning to read, and is excited about it.

So the gift cards have been purchased, cute ornaments bought for the receptionist and owner...

But is that where we end? In previous years, we have given to the mail carrier. Come rain or lack of rain in our area, our mail is delivered. But this year, the mail carrier broke our mailbox shoving our mail in. And is a giftcard what they want? What is the appropriate amount?

And garbage collectors? I have heard before of people leaving six pack of beers or other items for them. Is that what they want?

And don't even get me started on coworkers. I had my boss tell me she purchased my gift months ago. What in the heck do I get her??

Gotta love the holidays...

Post Vacation Blues

by Amy W.

It happens every time. We go away for a weeks vacation, and we come back to our regularly scheduled life, and it just is not the same for the first couple of weeks.

 

First, it is getting back into work. I spent the first day back from vacation sorting through over a hundred emails at work. The second day, I still was not in the mood for work, but at some point I had to get focused and get back on track.

And after eating out for a week, coming home and actually cooking dinner just does not sound like my idea of fun. I rather liked having my meals delivered to me, warm and delicious.

 

And it was not any easier for the kids. My youngest is having a hard time with drop off at daycare in the mornings. She normally goes right in and waves bye to her Dad, and that is it. She has been crying and holding on to her Dad like she had never done before.

 

And I understand. It was a week where it was just us, being a family and enjoying time together. There was no separations, no classes to go to.

 

I know this will all pass, but what can we do to make the transition from vacation back to routine easier?

Vacation Planning

By Amy W.

I live for vacations. Working full time, two kids, going to school part time takes a toll and those vacations are what I look forward too.

I enjoy having a week with my family of uninterrupted time. I enjoy seeing the kids be themselves and not have to worry about rushing to soccer or figuring out what to make for dinner.

I even enjoy planning my vacations. This year we are off to Disney World. We have done this before, but this is our first trip with both the girls and we are driving. Yes, I am going to be stuck in a van with a 20-month-old and a four-year-old for many, many hours. Still, as I said, I enjoy the planning. And I am a bit psycho-ultra-planner. I have mapped out all the Chick-fil-a's with play areas along the route. I know which rest areas offer which amenities. I have a basket of toys the girls have never seen for the ride the.

I have devised detailed plans once we arrive. I have spreadsheets detailing the parks hours that include what rides are closed for refurbishment and what time the parades are. I have itineraries for each day, laminated and hole-punched onto a key ring. Because that's the way I work.

Don't get me wrong, if we don't stick to the plan, I won't go into convulsions. I will roll with it. I think.

More about Disney World planning/vacations

More about other family vacations

Travel and packing tips

A New Me

By Amy W.

A few weekends ago, a friend of ours stayed with us. She is a friend from Northern Virginia, where we used to live. While visiting, she commented that my husband and I seem so much more laid back and less stressed than we were in Virginia. I guess we don't notice it much, but I know I am happier where where we are now.

This was the same friend who, with another close friend, launched an intervention with me right before my youngest, Audrey, was born. They took me to dinner and proceeded to tell me how horrible I was for planning to go back to work after my maternity leave with Audrey. They hammered into me about how I was missing precious time and moments and at that point in the conversation I tuned them out. My focus was on not crying, not letting them affect my decision and just get through dinner.

We got through dinner and I moved on. We were different in the aspect of valuing our decisions as parents. My family's decision was that I return to work;  their decision was to do what it takes to stay at home.

Part of what made living there wasn't the crazy traffic, it was the stress and the expectations of everyone around us. Though that could happen anywhere, including where we currently live, it hasn't happened. Now in North Carolina, we have friends who are in the same place as us and who respect us. Some of those friends are stay-at-home moms, but they don't chastise me for working. They embrace the fact that I chose a life because it's better for my family.

My intention isn't to turn this into SAHM vs. WOHM. This is about is respecting the fact that I made a decision that was best for my family. Moving away from those stressors was the best decision made so far.