I hate it when I have to say that "it's been a while since my last post" but there it is. A lot has happened since my last post including a job change. So I have been busy. But I just read a post on another Working Mom blog that cannot go unnoticed.
Katherine Lewis wrote a post entitled, "Motherhood: Yes, It's Supposed to be This Hard." In her post, Katherine writes about how crazy our lives can be and when that happens, it's easy to feel that our kids demand too much of our time. If only we had more time to do work, chores, clean the house...
It's just at these times that Katherine suggests that we, as Moms, take a step back and reconnect with our families. I couldn't agree more. And she states, "If you think it's hard, then you're doing it right." Even though I think I know that, it's really great to hear.
Sometimes it seems overwhelming, doesn't it? I am on the go from the moment that my eyes open in the morning till the moment that they close (usually around 11pm). But what if it wasn't that way? I realize that I love my kids and I love my career. So I'm not sure I would have it any other way. I just have to deal with my life being incredibly hectic, try not to stress out and forgive myself for the things that fall through the cracks occasionally.
Happy Mother's Day to all of you amazing Moms out there and thank you to all of our wonderful, crazy, fun, frustrating, high-maintenance kids for giving us the opportunity to be amazing.
Cheers,
Renay
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Piling it on
I have determined that I am a glutton for punishment. In addition to my full time job, kids and family responsibilities, activities, networking events, taking care of my house and my cat, I have decided to add yet another "item" to my list: a cute, rambunctious, 13-week old puppy.
We picked her up last Sunday - a friend of a friend had adopted her from a shelter in TN (she was transported up north) and was unable to keep her. I saw her picture and I was toast. So here was my first day with Molly...
Wake up at 5:30, let Molly out, feed her, get kids ready for school, take Molly for a walk, get her into her crate, take kids to their 2 schools, go to work for 2 hours, go home to walk/check on Molly. Back to work for a few more hours, stop at home in the afternoon to walk Molly. Go back to work, pick up kids, go home and walk Molly. Make dinner, do homework with both kids, help with showers, make lunches for the next day. Finally, let Molly out for her last potty break.
Is that insane or what? I'm pretty used to multi-tasking but this is ridiculous. It has gotten easier as the week has gone on. I'm hoping we can make it work. As I look into those big brown eyes that are currently staring at me, I realize that I have fallen for her. What am I thinking?
Cheers,
Renay
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Ode to Girlfriends
Okay, so I've had a glass of wine or two...but I thought it quite appropriate to devote a post to my girlfriends.
As working Moms, we are challenged for time. Between work, kids' activities, homework, dinner and (hopefully) exercise, how do we fit in social time with our friends? Well, I look at my time with my girlfriends as absolutely necessary and part of my "mental health" routine.
When I'm with my friends, I can share my biggest challenges at work, I can discuss the fight I had with my husband last week and I can ask for their advice regarding my latest parenting challenge. Who else can you do this with? Who else accepts and understands the way your best girlfriends do?
Often times, we look at our friends and our social time as a luxury because we are so busy. But I believe that this is the wrong way to think of it. Spending time with my friends makes me a better Mom, a better wife and even a better employee. Thankfully, I have a husband who understands this and is quite supportive of my time with friends.
So the next time you think you are too busy or too tired for that drink after the kids go to bed, think again. Make the time and reconnect with friends. It's definitely worth it.
Cheers,
Renay
As working Moms, we are challenged for time. Between work, kids' activities, homework, dinner and (hopefully) exercise, how do we fit in social time with our friends? Well, I look at my time with my girlfriends as absolutely necessary and part of my "mental health" routine.
When I'm with my friends, I can share my biggest challenges at work, I can discuss the fight I had with my husband last week and I can ask for their advice regarding my latest parenting challenge. Who else can you do this with? Who else accepts and understands the way your best girlfriends do?
Often times, we look at our friends and our social time as a luxury because we are so busy. But I believe that this is the wrong way to think of it. Spending time with my friends makes me a better Mom, a better wife and even a better employee. Thankfully, I have a husband who understands this and is quite supportive of my time with friends.
So the next time you think you are too busy or too tired for that drink after the kids go to bed, think again. Make the time and reconnect with friends. It's definitely worth it.
Cheers,
Renay
Saturday, January 2, 2010
TV Choices
Happy New Year! Yes, it's 2010 and I'm still up to my old tricks...staying up ridiculously late, looking stuff up online, catching up on Facebook, etc. But today Zach, my 7-year old, asked me something that has me thinking...
I have written before about the TV dilemma; which shows should I let him watch? And then if he's watching an "older kids show," what about my 4-year old who inevitably watches with him?
Today, Zach asked me if our PBS channel only had "baby shows." I told him that I do not think so but apparently, the kids at school do. Quite frequently, he wants to watch "X-Men" and other related shows. While I will occasionally let him watch those, I often do not allow it since some of them seem violent.
But am I babying him? We have begun letting him see movies that are a bit more grown up but since he watches some TV almost every day, I feel like I really need to oversee the shows he is watching. When I hear him make comments like this to me, I start feeling guilty, like maybe I'm too overprotective and need to let him make a few more choices.
So tough...it's amazing that our kids don't come with instructions. I wish I had some! I welcome any thoughts you have on this subject.
Cheers,
Renay
I have written before about the TV dilemma; which shows should I let him watch? And then if he's watching an "older kids show," what about my 4-year old who inevitably watches with him?
Today, Zach asked me if our PBS channel only had "baby shows." I told him that I do not think so but apparently, the kids at school do. Quite frequently, he wants to watch "X-Men" and other related shows. While I will occasionally let him watch those, I often do not allow it since some of them seem violent.
But am I babying him? We have begun letting him see movies that are a bit more grown up but since he watches some TV almost every day, I feel like I really need to oversee the shows he is watching. When I hear him make comments like this to me, I start feeling guilty, like maybe I'm too overprotective and need to let him make a few more choices.
So tough...it's amazing that our kids don't come with instructions. I wish I had some! I welcome any thoughts you have on this subject.
Cheers,
Renay
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Bring on the Circus!
I'm typing while my 7-year old is playing his new Nintendo DS, a gaming system that "Santa" reluctantly brought him this year...not sure that we needed yet another electronic gaming device. And my daughter is asking me what the plan is for the day.
I love being home with them and taking a break from my working life. It gives us the opportunity to just have fun. BUT, I have learned over time that my 7-year old is incapable of spending time on his own for more than 5 minutes. And I'm not exaggerating. He must be entertained at all times or else the whining and complaining begin. So I find myself trying to plan for every moment of the day. And that's even after Santa came and brought the 800 new toys that are currently all over my house. But to him, there's nothing to do.
I have begun instituting some quiet time so that he must play on his own for a small part of the day. Usually, though, it ends up with yelling in order for him to actually carry through. What's interesting, though, is that my 4-year old has a much easier time playing on her own and often wants to. It's amazing how 2 kids can be so different.
So, I must go now and create my "plan for the day." Hopefully I can find a circus, a show, or some other spectacular to keep everyone happy...
Cheers,
Renay
I love being home with them and taking a break from my working life. It gives us the opportunity to just have fun. BUT, I have learned over time that my 7-year old is incapable of spending time on his own for more than 5 minutes. And I'm not exaggerating. He must be entertained at all times or else the whining and complaining begin. So I find myself trying to plan for every moment of the day. And that's even after Santa came and brought the 800 new toys that are currently all over my house. But to him, there's nothing to do.
I have begun instituting some quiet time so that he must play on his own for a small part of the day. Usually, though, it ends up with yelling in order for him to actually carry through. What's interesting, though, is that my 4-year old has a much easier time playing on her own and often wants to. It's amazing how 2 kids can be so different.
So, I must go now and create my "plan for the day." Hopefully I can find a circus, a show, or some other spectacular to keep everyone happy...
Cheers,
Renay
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Am I Losing My Mind?
This is my first post in months. I clicked on my bookmark for my own blog and just realized how much I miss blogging, especially about the challenges and wonders of being a working mother.
Sometimes I don't know what happened to the "organized me." During the past few years, I seem to have become forgetful and have too many different mediums to try to keep myself organized.
Case in point. Last week, I had a company meeting during which I had to make a presentation. Months before, I had signed up for a parent-teacher conference at my son's school. So, I had both in my head and I knew that both were obviously important. But somehow, my brain did not make the connection that they were both occurring on the same day and at the same time UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE. And then panic sets in...
As always, I worked it out but it was stressful trying to make sure that I could make my presentation prior to having to leave for the conference and it involved connecting with my boss and the CEO. Yes, stressful.
And I can tell you that I had both in my Blackberry, on my home calendar, in Outlook. I honestly think that either I have not found my preferred "device" or "medium" OR I just have too many options.
I'll have you know that I used to be incredibly organized. But now I think I am overwhelmed by the number of things I need to accomplish on any given day. Maybe a good old fashioned list is all I need.
Cheers,
Renay
Sometimes I don't know what happened to the "organized me." During the past few years, I seem to have become forgetful and have too many different mediums to try to keep myself organized.
Case in point. Last week, I had a company meeting during which I had to make a presentation. Months before, I had signed up for a parent-teacher conference at my son's school. So, I had both in my head and I knew that both were obviously important. But somehow, my brain did not make the connection that they were both occurring on the same day and at the same time UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE. And then panic sets in...
As always, I worked it out but it was stressful trying to make sure that I could make my presentation prior to having to leave for the conference and it involved connecting with my boss and the CEO. Yes, stressful.
And I can tell you that I had both in my Blackberry, on my home calendar, in Outlook. I honestly think that either I have not found my preferred "device" or "medium" OR I just have too many options.
I'll have you know that I used to be incredibly organized. But now I think I am overwhelmed by the number of things I need to accomplish on any given day. Maybe a good old fashioned list is all I need.
Cheers,
Renay
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sibling Rivalry
Over the course of our long holiday weekend, I could not get over the fact that my kids are constantly bickering. They seem to have this love/argue thing going on; one minute, they are playing and are best friends. The next, they are arguing over every little thing.
As you ask yourself "Who cares? All brothers and sisters do that," please keep in mind that I am an only child. I never had a brother or sister to argue with. So this whole sibling thing is new territory for me. And I can tell you that I don't like it. Furthermore, I don't really know how to deal with it too well. Most of the time, I just get annoyed and tell them to stop, threatening punishment. That might work for about 2 minutes but then they are right back to fighting again.
And then there's my husband who, at 37 years old, still fights with his sister. So I don't get a lot of support or advice from him on the subject.
What is amazing, though, is watching the kids and knowing that someday they will hopefully have a great sibling friendship which is something that I never had. I can see that these relationships help to shape their personalities and enrich their lives. I also think that it introduces a bit of competition which is something that I think is good since, as adults, we run into fierce competition in everything that we do - especially in the business world.
But, for now, I will try to remain calm as I listen to my 4-yeard old yelling at my 7-year old, "Don't look out my window! Mom, he's looking out my window!"
Cheers,
Renay
As you ask yourself "Who cares? All brothers and sisters do that," please keep in mind that I am an only child. I never had a brother or sister to argue with. So this whole sibling thing is new territory for me. And I can tell you that I don't like it. Furthermore, I don't really know how to deal with it too well. Most of the time, I just get annoyed and tell them to stop, threatening punishment. That might work for about 2 minutes but then they are right back to fighting again.
And then there's my husband who, at 37 years old, still fights with his sister. So I don't get a lot of support or advice from him on the subject.
What is amazing, though, is watching the kids and knowing that someday they will hopefully have a great sibling friendship which is something that I never had. I can see that these relationships help to shape their personalities and enrich their lives. I also think that it introduces a bit of competition which is something that I think is good since, as adults, we run into fierce competition in everything that we do - especially in the business world.
But, for now, I will try to remain calm as I listen to my 4-yeard old yelling at my 7-year old, "Don't look out my window! Mom, he's looking out my window!"
Cheers,
Renay
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