The Balanced Life
Never once did I assume that going back to work would ease up on the load of parental responsibilities. Although, it was in the back of my head that I secretly thought that going back to work was going to be this amazing transition and that when I get home I get to spend time with my family and everything is hunky dory.
I enjoy work, I really do, but working full time and being a mommy to an almost five year old and four month old is a challenge. Where is the balance of work and home?
When I went back to work a little over a month ago from my three month maternity leave I really wanted to be better than I was before I left. I found myself for the first two weeks of being back to work, working long hours and weekends on top of my Monday through Friday schedule. I was Gung Ho and I still am but I needed to learn how to time manage. When I would get home after a nine hour day at work my family was hungry and would want dinner, each child wanted 100% of my attention, my husband needed help with his homework, and I frankly, was EXHAUSTED. I still nurse Isabella when at home which is absolutely the best bonding time for us but I still have a son and husband who are hungry. On top of that I scheduled Brody's swimming lessons the second week after I started working again. WRONG decision to make. I even missed a lesson because on the day of one of his lessons I worked twelve hours and made it to the YMCA just to see him dressed and ready to leave. Brody questioned me as to why I wasn't there.
From that moment I knew I needed to take a step back and focus on what is most important to me, my family. I asked my boss what he does to prioritize his day and also asked if our office (at separate times of course) could have a "no call hour" where we can get our work done without being bothered by people calling in or walking through the door. The hotel had one of the highest future booking months I have seen during the two years I have been there. I also told myself unless it was absolutely important, I wouldn't work long hours, I should just finish up what I was working on, and make my to-do list for the next day.
Being a full time mommy and working an executive level management position is rewarding. My word of advice is to find the balance. Don't overwhelm yourself. Don't be afraid to delegate at work, ask questions, and if needed take a time management class.
I am finally writing because I think I have found my balance. Of course, a curve-ball can be thrown at you anytime, just like Brody's ER trip last night for his ear infection and me being late to work this morning because I had to wait for the pharmacy to open. I'm not sure if there will be a post every day, but Baltazar reminded me, just take 15 minutes and BLOG.
So ladies, listen to your husbands. ;)
P.S. I feel so blessed that friends and family come to me with cloth diapering questions and advice. My next post will be cloth diaper related.
I enjoy work, I really do, but working full time and being a mommy to an almost five year old and four month old is a challenge. Where is the balance of work and home?
When I went back to work a little over a month ago from my three month maternity leave I really wanted to be better than I was before I left. I found myself for the first two weeks of being back to work, working long hours and weekends on top of my Monday through Friday schedule. I was Gung Ho and I still am but I needed to learn how to time manage. When I would get home after a nine hour day at work my family was hungry and would want dinner, each child wanted 100% of my attention, my husband needed help with his homework, and I frankly, was EXHAUSTED. I still nurse Isabella when at home which is absolutely the best bonding time for us but I still have a son and husband who are hungry. On top of that I scheduled Brody's swimming lessons the second week after I started working again. WRONG decision to make. I even missed a lesson because on the day of one of his lessons I worked twelve hours and made it to the YMCA just to see him dressed and ready to leave. Brody questioned me as to why I wasn't there.
From that moment I knew I needed to take a step back and focus on what is most important to me, my family. I asked my boss what he does to prioritize his day and also asked if our office (at separate times of course) could have a "no call hour" where we can get our work done without being bothered by people calling in or walking through the door. The hotel had one of the highest future booking months I have seen during the two years I have been there. I also told myself unless it was absolutely important, I wouldn't work long hours, I should just finish up what I was working on, and make my to-do list for the next day.
Being a full time mommy and working an executive level management position is rewarding. My word of advice is to find the balance. Don't overwhelm yourself. Don't be afraid to delegate at work, ask questions, and if needed take a time management class.
I am finally writing because I think I have found my balance. Of course, a curve-ball can be thrown at you anytime, just like Brody's ER trip last night for his ear infection and me being late to work this morning because I had to wait for the pharmacy to open. I'm not sure if there will be a post every day, but Baltazar reminded me, just take 15 minutes and BLOG.
So ladies, listen to your husbands. ;)
P.S. I feel so blessed that friends and family come to me with cloth diapering questions and advice. My next post will be cloth diaper related.
I really enjoyed this blog post. :) I am still working on finding balance. I do know that working outside of the home makes me a better person and mommy...although when I was young, I always said I would stay home with my kids, I have learned that I am not the stay-at-home mom type.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy, I know! I am not the stay-at-home mom type either. I stayed home for the first seven months after Brody was born and I was definitely ready to head back to work. I do miss the baby times though and the freedom to do what I wanted.
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