Comments on: Blending my kids and my career (ugh) http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:30:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Tess Wooten http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-146219 Tess Wooten Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:32:14 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-146219 WOW!!! I'm not alone!!! I needed a few laughs born out of comraderie this morning. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES! I work for a very large corporation as a financial analyst. I have worked at home for 8 years. I have 2 daughters - 7 and 15. My job is job that pays the bills. My job is NOT aligned with my skill set - therefore I have to work VERY hard to be average. Throw in a few kids, many of the above mentioned scenario's and you can imagine the disaster. I am constantly fantisizing about being a stay-at-home mom - without the job. Although, at this point I think it's just a cop-out resulting from a bruised self esteem. It sucks being a failure at work. My manager(s)and peers are either childless or have a wife. Therefor - I appear to have "personal problems" uuuggggg!!! Enough of that!!! I'm CRYING!!!! Writing that hurt more than thinking/feeling it. WOW!!! I’m not alone!!! I needed a few laughs born out of comraderie this morning. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES!

I work for a very large corporation as a financial analyst. I have worked at home for 8 years. I have 2 daughters - 7 and 15.

My job is job that pays the bills. My job is NOT aligned with my skill set - therefore I have to work VERY hard to be average. Throw in a few kids, many of the above mentioned scenario’s and you can imagine the disaster.

I am constantly fantisizing about being a stay-at-home mom - without the job. Although, at this point I think it’s just a cop-out resulting from a bruised self esteem. It sucks being a failure at work. My manager(s)and peers are either childless or have a wife. Therefor - I appear to have “personal problems” uuuggggg!!!

Enough of that!!! I’m CRYING!!!! Writing that hurt more than thinking/feeling it.

]]> By: I’m in the New York Times, for better or worse » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-145607 I’m in the New York Times, for better or worse » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:36:40 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-145607 [...] Five steps to taming materialism, from an accidental expert August 7, 2007 (88 comments) [...] […] Five steps to taming materialism, from an accidental expert August 7, 2007 (88 comments) […]

]]> By: Rub paint all over the floor - that’s cool « Mommy CEO http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-108783 Rub paint all over the floor - that’s cool « Mommy CEO Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:54:18 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-108783 [...] and have had a great time reading posts related to her Sept 26th post. I just read her post “Blending my kids and my career” and was laughing out loud which really doesn’t happen often to me when i read something. I am [...] […] and have had a great time reading posts related to her Sept 26th post. I just read her post “Blending my kids and my career” and was laughing out loud which really doesn’t happen often to me when i read something. I am […]

]]> By: Alana http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-104340 Alana Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:54:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-104340 This was a GREAT post! As a fellow author, I have had to use the TV to babysit my kids so I could talk to reporters. On one hand you want to say everything right, on the other you are praying that the kids aren't hanging from the ceiling fans. Maybe that's just me. So far my solution has been crossing my fingers and bribery - others may not like it, but it works! Alana Author of Domestically Challenged This was a GREAT post! As a fellow author, I have had to use the TV to babysit my kids so I could talk to reporters. On one hand you want to say everything right, on the other you are praying that the kids aren’t hanging from the ceiling fans. Maybe that’s just me.
So far my solution has been crossing my fingers and bribery - others may not like it, but it works!
Alana
Author of Domestically Challenged

]]> By: Life Gives You Lemons http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-96906 Life Gives You Lemons Thu, 28 Jun 2007 22:05:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-96906 [...] So why the FRIG would it be JUST AWFUL if someone overheard your child, dog, or hell, mother-in-law, in the background? Why do we all go to such lengths to pretend it ain’t so? [...] […] So why the FRIG would it be JUST AWFUL if someone overheard your child, dog, or hell, mother-in-law, in the background? Why do we all go to such lengths to pretend it ain’t so? […]

]]> By: Erin http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-95450 Erin Tue, 26 Jun 2007 02:28:33 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-95450 Hi Penelope, I'm sorry I didn't see this blog earlier, but I would be more than happy to help out as a back up sitter (if the time works out). Especially when you have that kind of situation! Also,if you were to consider a child care or preschool option as one of the bloggers had mentioned, I work at a really great school on the east side. Just thought I would throw that option out there, as I'm sure you need local support just as much as you have with blogger support :) Hi Penelope,

I’m sorry I didn’t see this blog earlier, but I would be more than happy to help out as a back up sitter (if the time works out). Especially when you have that kind of situation! Also,if you were to consider a child care or preschool option as one of the bloggers had mentioned, I work at a really great school on the east side. Just thought I would throw that option out there, as I’m sure you need local support just as much as you have with blogger support :)

]]> By: Andrea http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-94396 Andrea Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:47:49 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-94396 Been there. :) When the kids got older, we had to come up with silly rules like, "No interrupting Mommy or Daddy on the phone unless you are bleeding," which of course, happened. :) And why is it my teenagers can ignore me for a good four hours in a row, but if I'm 30 seconds into a call, they suddenly need me? Seriously though, now that most of my kids are older, I sometimes get important calls from other parents who apologize for the noise in the background. I smile and tell them I more than understand. :) * * * * * <em>Thanks for the comment, Andrea. It's nice to hear from someone who's been through it. And, it seems like a good time to mention that people have been universally so nice (at least to my face) about my kids interrupting, or completely destroying, a phone call.</em> <em>Penelope</em> Been there. :) When the kids got older, we had to come up with silly rules like, “No interrupting Mommy or Daddy on the phone unless you are bleeding,” which of course, happened. :)

And why is it my teenagers can ignore me for a good four hours in a row, but if I’m 30 seconds into a call, they suddenly need me?

Seriously though, now that most of my kids are older, I sometimes get important calls from other parents who apologize for the noise in the background. I smile and tell them I more than understand. :)

* * * * *

Thanks for the comment, Andrea. It’s nice to hear from someone who’s been through it.
And, it seems like a good time to mention that people have been universally so nice (at least to my face) about my kids interrupting, or completely destroying, a phone call.

Penelope

]]> By: chuck reilly http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-90659 chuck reilly Sat, 16 Jun 2007 20:38:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-90659 Good grief, people, you don't win a Nobel Prize for raising kids. In many, many countries, women don't have the option of becoming Stroller Mommies just because they've had children. I've been a successful single dad, my son is an Eagle Scout and is entering an Ivy League school. When he was little, I insisted that he learn to behave and to entertain himself. We spent lots of time together and got along fine. We have a great relationship. Kids are a blessing, not a burden. Some of you need to get over yourselves! Good grief, people, you don’t win a Nobel Prize for raising kids. In many, many countries, women don’t have the option of becoming Stroller Mommies just because they’ve had children.

I’ve been a successful single dad, my son is an Eagle Scout and is entering an Ivy League school. When he was little, I insisted that he learn to behave and to entertain himself. We spent lots of time together and got along fine. We have a great relationship.

Kids are a blessing, not a burden. Some of you need to get over yourselves!

]]> By: Dan Gorgone http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-90015 Dan Gorgone Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:19:51 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-90015 My wife Kerry and I have been producing a weekly podcast about pregnancy and parenting for the past two years called Baby Time. And wouldn't ya know: we are so tired by Sunday night (when we usually record the show) because our little guy has been running us ragged all week long. :) So we usually end up capturing this experience - warts and all - on our show, and we've only rec'd one negative comment so far that we spend too much time talking about how tired we are. Heh. I just discovered your blog and am preparing to dive in to the many posts I've missed so far. Best of luck with everything! My wife Kerry and I have been producing a weekly podcast about pregnancy and parenting for the past two years called Baby Time. And wouldn’t ya know: we are so tired by Sunday night (when we usually record the show) because our little guy has been running us ragged all week long. :) So we usually end up capturing this experience - warts and all - on our show, and we’ve only rec’d one negative comment so far that we spend too much time talking about how tired we are. Heh.

I just discovered your blog and am preparing to dive in to the many posts I’ve missed so far. Best of luck with everything!

]]> By: Melissa Papaleo http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-89524 Melissa Papaleo Thu, 14 Jun 2007 18:38:41 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/06/07/blending-my-kids-and-my-career-not-really/#comment-89524 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this article. As a new mom to a 3 1/2 month old girl, I am realizing how much I relate to your story. Just today, I had someone lined up to take care of her and they couldn't and now I am working while she is napping and hoping she takes a REALLY LONG nap. Even though I have only been doing this for a while, I have to admitt I am so proud of being a working mom and being able to pull it off. Sometimes I wonder- am I really going to be able to do all of this but it happens. I am very lucky as I work with really supportive co-workers and boss and so far, my baby girl is a good sleeper. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this article. As a new mom to a 3 1/2 month old girl, I am realizing how much I relate to your story. Just today, I had someone lined up to take care of her and they couldn’t and now I am working while she is napping and hoping she takes a REALLY LONG nap. Even though I have only been doing this for a while, I have to admitt I am so proud of being a working mom and being able to pull it off. Sometimes I wonder- am I really going to be able to do all of this but it happens. I am very lucky as I work with really supportive co-workers and boss and so far, my baby girl is a good sleeper.

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