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Topic: How does a working mother get anything done?
| Author | Message |
| wineaux | Posted – 7/2/2008 6:51:05 PM | show profile I must have been nuts to think I could work from a home office in the summer. I'm under a tight deadline right now, and have two screaming, battling hellions that just got home from camp, whipping water balloons at each other right outside my office window. They keep slamming the kitchen door as they go in, out, in, out, all frigging afternoon long. I've been staring at the same page of copy that looks like shit for over an hour. I'd put the ipod on but I need to hear them and make sure they don't kill each other. My God, they were at camp ALL day!!! Why aren't they tired? Why am I exhausted when I've been at this computer all day. I should forget writing and turn into a referee. |
| writerandeditor | Posted – 7/2/2008 9:35:47 PM | show profile How old are your kids? I'm assuming old enough that you don't need childcare for them because I would suggest that if you did. When I'm under deadline at work, I try to always leave the window between 5 and 8 p.m. open if at all possible because that's when the kids are the crankiest. I wake up earlier or go to bed (much) later, but I really, really try to keep that window open. If that just isn't possible because of your deadline, where is your spouse (if you have one)? Enlist his or her help. |
| crabgrass | Posted – 7/2/2008 10:35:08 PM | show profile Put on a video or dvd for them. Nothing like the electronic baby sitter! I hope they're not throwing the water balloons at you. |
| wineaux | Posted – 7/2/2008 10:47:05 PM | show profile Oh, they are too old for a babysitter during the day if I'm home. They are good at amusing themselves, for the most part. I just hoped that after 8 hours in camp, all day playing sports, they'd eat a popsicle and chill out over a movie or maybe read, take a nap, play with the dog, SOMETHING besides slam doors and scream bloody murder. They've had a really fun summer so far and I've managed to work while they are at camp and still do fun stuff like the beach and concerts on the side. I gave up and decided to see what all the screaming was about. As I rounded a corner blinded by flowering bushes, I got bombed by an electric green water balloon. I got 'em both good with the hose for that one, all the while with the beast of a dog jumping and barking maniacally. He thought they were attacking me and he was beside himself. He got wet too. Poor mutt. And I'd love to know where they got the freaking water balloons. Not from me, by God. |
| aj | Posted – 7/2/2008 11:26:34 PM | show profile what about asking a neighborhood teenager or one of the camp counselors to hang out for a few hours after camp? |
| Canadiana | Posted – 7/3/2008 1:03:58 AM | show profile Just wondering the same thing myself: I was supposed to be working at a client's office all day today but their internet was down so came home. Even though we have a nanny, the wee ones constantly want to talk to me, show me stuff, hug me, love me...all wonderful but mama needs to bring home the bacon. Your kids are older; perhaps you can take off a few hours and hang out with them after camp and then work again in the evenings? Maybe stay up late and then have a nap after they're gone to camp? Good luck! |
| wineaux | Posted – 7/3/2008 1:25:24 AM | show profile I took your advice before I read it! Here I am, well after midnight, finishing what I couldn't today. I'm feeling more lucid with the beautiful silence of two rugrats having been sound asleep since 9. The timing was bad today. Usually the husband comes home earlier when I need him to, but he had something going on at work that kept him there later than usual. I should have made other arrangements. The girl across the street loves to look after them when I'm in a pinch, and I swap off sitting w/ another friend who has her own business. Thankfully, I will be able to do most of what needs to be done before the holiday tommorow am when they are at camp again. I was feeling rather frazzled, as I have a meeting first thing in the am where I need to present a decent amount of content and explain what I've been working on. I doubt my client is going to care that it was 90 degrees today and my children were far too wild for me to be able to concentrate. |
| crabgrass | Posted – 7/3/2008 2:38:23 PM | show profile We only have one child and I'm always amazed at how much mayhem one child can make. You deserve a vacation, Wineaux, without the kiddies. Or ask hubby to take them to work with him one day. Too bad there's no day camp for grown ups. |
| wineaux | Posted – 7/3/2008 5:14:10 PM | show profile foto, I'm just being a big-ass baby. I went away for over a week in April with the husband, kid-free. Granted, it was the first time ever and I doubt I'll ever get to do that again before they go away to college, but I was lucky to get a great trip like that. I just have a bad temper and am easily distracted. When the the school year is in session, I have peace and tranquility in my little office enclave. I'm managing my time rather badly right now. (Not making the most of the hours they are in camp.) I got a lot done today, though, and last night. Now, I can't even think about work. I feel like it's already the 4th. Monday and Tuesday will be hellacious. |
| crabgrass | Posted – 7/3/2008 7:51:54 PM | show profile Reminds me of that Staples back to school commercial with "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" song. |
| wineaux | Posted – 7/3/2008 7:55:09 PM | show profile I especially love the part of that commercial when the dad goes rolling by on the cart, feet extended behind him in a dramatic Broadway-esque manner. Freaking genius. |
| wineaux | Posted – 7/3/2008 7:59:27 PM | show profile Oh, and you know who gave them like 200 balloons? The checkout girl at Trader Joe's. Thanks, broad. My entire front and back lawn is COVERED in broken balloon pieces. I didn't have time to pick it up today so I was just out there plucking miniscule pieces and dropping them into a garbage bag. And I keep finding full balloons stowed ALL OVER the house and yard. They keep wanting to surprise dive-bomb each other. I just know one is gonna explode on my hardwood floor. I am NOT responsible for my actions if that happens. They might wind up in military camp for the summer. |
| HisGirlFriday | Posted – 7/3/2008 9:15:06 PM | show profile Ugh. I am so there. Husband and I decided to save $500 and not do the camp thing for the month of July and I'm already starting to wonder. I was on the phone with a copy editor yesterday while she was whining "mooooooommmm," and putting finger-paint hand prints all over my paperwork. The worst was the time I was on with a source for some story and she was wailing from the top of the stairs; "Moooommmm!!! I went POOPY! Come wipe my HEINEY!!!!!" Source: "Uh. Sounds like you have to go. Do you want to call me back?" I was mortified. Oy. |
| Canadiana | Posted – 7/3/2008 10:58:29 PM | show profile GalFriday: That story is too funny! Thanks for the chuckle. And, about the balloons: call me un-motherly but I'm beginning to hate balloons. My kids love 'em but I can't stand the way they get dirty and sticky and then pop with shards flying everywhere. Double oy. |
| crabgrass | Posted – 7/3/2008 10:59:57 PM | show profile Time for a cease-fire. All sides must disarm their water balloons immediately. |
| crabgrass | Posted – 7/3/2008 11:04:42 PM | show profile Yes, funny storry, HisGirlFriday. Actually, Poopy is what my daughter calls me when she's pissed off at me for something: "Daddy, you're a POOPY!!!" |
