One Secret to a Working Mom's Success: Keep Standing

Me, standing in Barbados Those of us who live our lives out loud on the internet subject ourselves to scrutiny. Some comment, "Nobody's life is perfect. These posts must be fake," Those making those comments might even be close to us because they "know our business" and they whisper and gossip and say, "she's so fake".  To those who may read my blog and make such comments, (the trolls) know that I hear you, see you, and completely disagree. 

Working Mom Tips: Five Working Mom Secrets to Doing It All

On a Panel

People often ask me how I “do it all” now that I have two kids and still work full time. I have provided some insight into my secrets on this blog. However, I have decided to give you a peek behind my curtains. Be forewarned. You may not like what you see...

My daughter and her TV babysitter...
Here are five secrets in no particular order…
  1. Blogging Instead of Parenting: I blog when I should be interacting with my kids. While I am blogging, the TV is babysitting my kids...
  2. TV Babysitting: I use technology as a babysitter. Yes, there are times when my daughter watches an uninterrupted series of children's videos. Indeed, at four she knows the characters of Nick Jr. better than she knows the names of our extended family. While she is watching TV I am cooking, cleaning and/or responding to my email. The American Academy of Pediatrics says parents should limit screen time. That may be true. However, I don't know that I could function without Nick Jr. That's a fact.
  3. Photographing and Tweeting While on Outings: I am constantly taking photos of my kids. It helps my extended family stay involved in their lives. I also tweet those photos and my comments when we're on outings. I'm slightly obsessed with it. I think it's fun and it's a great way to stay plugged in with my social media community. 
  4. Using Organized Fun as a Crutch:  My preschooler requires a level of engagement and entertainment that eludes me. For that reason, I attend organized activities like The Children’s Museum because it is easier than entertaining both of them at home. We are there so often that the staff knows what she likes to eat and can identify her by name...
  5. Cursing During Housework: I try to take everything in stride, but I often fail. I absolutely despise housework.  However, cursing helps to relieve the stress. Sometimes my house is clean and I am pissed off because I have picked up my husband’s underwear for the tenth time that week. Or my house is a wreck and I am pissed off because his underwear is in piles on the floor. He will tell you that there are other piles like the pile of magazines that are as tall as my daughter that I have allowed to accumulate. The magazine pile does not anger me though... :-)
Now you know a few of my secrets for "doing it all". Hopefully, you won't judge me for them. As you see, my secrets are not novel and you don't have to be a super woman to execute them. The overarching theme is, identify what you would like to do, determine the type of life you'd like to lead and then work really hard to make it happen. Having a plan makes your goals so much easier to achieve.

I'll be sharing my secrets periodically. Stay tuned!

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