Work + Life = Balancing Act

This Link Up I totally appreciate so here we go... 

                
                  R getting a FedEx envelope ready to go          Ready for bigger and better things!

1) What do you do for work and why do you work?

In addition to running around after the two girls, I work for two small businesses (and blog for another). I coordinate imports and exports for a fertilizer distributor and I work for Swimworld (aka the fam-me business) - pools, spas, water tests... you name it, we have got it. 

2) Did your mother work?

Yes she did and still does. BUT we always had someone (nanny or my dad eventually started working from home) at the house with us during the summer and afternoons. Which now as a parent see how vitally important supervision is.

3) Describe a typical work day.

On a good day... 5:30 - wake up for me. 7:00 - wake up for the girls. 8:15 - leave for MMO/preschool. 8:45 - get to work Lunch - retrieve girls. 1:30 - nap for everyone for the girls while I work 4:00 - wake up.  5:45 - eat dinner. 6:30-7ish - bed. For a more detailed summary of a great day here is a post I did. 

4) What's the best part about having a job?

The best part of having my jobs is that my bosses are insanely flexible and they let me bring my kids to work - for about the first 7-10ish months depending on the job. Yea. It is insane (ly great). Or if I need to run to work to get something out its okay to bring them in. 

R answering the phone

5) What's your least favorite part?

Hmmm... Least favorite part is probably that MMO/preschool is not real daycare - but it is. It is not real daycare because it is part of a preschool program that closes for a few weeks around Christmas (which is not a major problem because Papa is usually not hugely busy with pools), and it closes for a week or two over the summer. Gasp! And like all schools around here, there are delays for inclement weather - which is crazy annoying when it is just raining and not actually sleeting or snowing. 

6) What would make your life easier?

I don't think that NOT working would make my life easier. I think that if A. Papa were more open to meal planning (he's gotten better - even though this summer I am getting on the dinner making bandwagon so any quick and tasty recipes? send them my way!) B. If we could afford a personal chef (that will never happen) C. Having a house cleaner (but hands off my laundry - I can manage like doing it)

7) How do your children handle their mom's career?

E does not really get that I am away because I think she is so used to going to school and she enjoys it there. R is too small to articulate any objections/thoughts. We drive by the fertilizer distributor everyday and everyday E asks "Are you going there today" "Why are you going there today" 

8) Do you feel supported in what you do?

YES. My bosses are crazy supportive (or at least so far have been). Papa is supportive of whatever decision I made - and there was great turmoil over working/not working so this was the ultimate compromise. And of course, if I had not found MMO and the ladies there were not so great with the girls then I would not be doing what I am doing today. 

9) What are your future goals when it comes to work/motherhood?

When it comes to work, I don't have an aspirations to become a 6 figure business woman - it is not my style and I would not give up my lunch times and afternoon play times with the kids. I hope to continue to work and grow in the businesses but I am happy working for both small businesses and hope to stay on board as long as they'll have me. In terms of my motherhood goals/hopes/dreams, I really don't want to homeschool - though I would do it in a heartbeat if it were the best thing for my kids. I think that is a big fear of motherhood I have right now because I don't think I would be good at it because patience is a virtue that I continue to pray for daily. . Hopefully I won't be eating my words in a few years. I never wanted to get married either! Otherwise mama-wise, I hope to support my kids in their schooling and extracurricular activities and be someone they talk to about anything.

10) What are some tips that help you balance it all?

Have a schedule. Add patience. Have a support network. I don't even know I make it some days so when I put my thumb on it I'll let you know : ) 

The sign says it all

Also getting all these pics of R at work as inspired me to get the pics of E off my old phone... Maybe one day : )