“Working Mommy” Defined?

It’s a tad embarrassing to say that my last post was nearly one year ago, right after The Dance Club‘s Art with Heart benefit concert for Shriners Hospital! The next Art with Heart is less than 2 weeks away, one of many motivations to start blogging again.

My second (and strongest) motivation came from my former client and friend Lyle Ball, who called me a few weeks ago to catch up.  He told me he was launching a new technology company with a friend of his, a technology that just begged for a “working mommy” to help share its story (You’ll hear that story in the weeks to come). Out of his huge network, I was the only one that fit this definition (and it didn’t hurt that I’m a public relations consultant and a writer). According to Lyle, there are many moms that work and workers that are moms, but more unique is the working mother that puts her kids first and still attempts to be equally involved with her children — whether at school, home or in any of the many activities they’re  involved in.  I’m sure there are working mothers out there who might take issue with the definition, but maybe that will start some discussion here.

Why don’t you start thinking about how you would define”working mommy,” while I take you through a typical day in my life.  (Ready, set,  go potty! Sorry that’s what my two-year-old just said when she sat down to…well, you know!)! I wake up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. to try to get some work done before the kids wake up. Kids wake up and we get them ready for school; take them to school, head home to work (get in a couple hours straight!), go pick up child 3 – kindergartner – from his kindergarten enhancement class, get him lunch, take him to his kindergarten class, go back to work for 3 hours, pick up child 1 and 2 from their schools, pick up 3 and 4 from their schools, and then it’s off to dance and swim lessons (spend far too much time watching dance and swim lessons – but I love it!) with some work calls in between. Dinner (eat out or at home). Family time, get kids to bed, watch some TV, then work again. I don’t work full time, but with work generally spread out throughout the day (and night), it can sure feel like it!

I love my job and I love being with my kids, so I’m always thinking about how to balance both (Hmmm, a topic for an upcoming post, I’d say!).   Work is far too often on my mind, though, even when it’s supposed to be “kid time.”  I know I need to put a little more “mommy” time into this “working mommy” business. My 5-year-old son reminded me of this just yesterday, when he said: “Mommy, why are you always doing your computer. When are you going to play with us?” Not my proudest mommy moment, but I’m committed to doing better. For them and for me!

So, back to how you’d define “working mommy.” I’d love to hear your thoughts and your stories of how you’re balancing the “working” and the “mommy” parts of your lives. Let’s chat!