- Amy at Work It: A Blog for Moms doesn’t want to scare her boss who is newly back to work from maternity leave.

- Job benefits are on Cindy Krischer Goodman’s mind at The Miami Herald’s The Work/Life Balancing Act.

- Karyn McCormack praises telecommuting in her first post at BusinessWeek’s Working Parents blog.

- At Work It, Mom! Nataly has brought up an interesting topic: Can you excel in your career and have work/life balance?

Let us know if you’ve run across some good working parent discussions out there!

Post from: Blisstree

Working Parent Blogs

What an interesting question.

My first thought was, “I wonder if someone would ask a working father that?” I’m not sure, why I felt that way, but, at first it seemed to imply that ambition was optional for women, and, they could opt out of they chose, while fathers had to maintain their level of ambition.

Then, I realized I was equating it to making money.

Analyze away, I’m not sure what that means, especially since I make the greater salary in our house.

But, in reality, a father could change their ambitions after having kids just like a mother could, so, don’t yell at me, I was just confessing my thought processes.

As for my own situation, my biggest change occurred after having my youngest child, but, it was kind of done for me.

When I went out on maternity leave, I held a director position, however, shortly after my return, my position was eliminated (health care, you know the drill), and, I had to scramble for a job.

I ended up taking a low key job for much less money because, well, I needed a job sort of quickly.

At first, the lack of money, and, lack of authority was tough to get used to. My favorite saying was, “But, I used to be somebody!”

However, somewhere along the line, I think it was when my mother got sick, it became very apparent to me why that job came into my life, and, I am forever grateful since, at the time, I had no idea of the extent of the squeeze I was about to enter.

Looking back on it, I also now know there was no way I could have maintained that pace, and, been with my children, and, my parents in the way I needed to be. There have seriously been days where my sole ambition was, “go to the job”, and, that would have been a bit career limiting in other positions.

It was still hard to get used to, but, once I did, there was no turning back. My current job may not be the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, but, it is exactly what I need in my life with young children, and, an aging parent right now.

I now joke that, much to the dismay of my one employee, the “management” section of my brain no longer functions, and, now I struggle to remember to do her yearly evaluation, when I once did more than 100 each year.

I also secretly make fun of the crowd I once ran with as they spend lots of time and energy validating each other’s importance as administrators.

Please know that I’m not evaluating your situation as a parent who strives to advance in the workplace. In fact, I probably need to resurrect some of that drive.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t care about my job, I do, and, it’s important to me to do it well. If something else came my way that offered the same advantages, and, a higher “rank”, sure I’d do it.

So, that was a long, fluffy answer to the question, but, the short answer is “yes” my career ambitions did change after having kids, some people might say they’re “less”, and, it was the right thing for me.

Post from: Blisstree

Career Ambition After Having Kids

1. I will schedule and commit to mental health breaks on a quarterly basis. These can include but are not limited to something as small as a nap, a pedicure, an afternoon of reading a book (or baking, or watching TV) or as extensive as a day spent by yourself (or with your significant other).

2. I will not hesitate to seek help when I need it so I can focus on doing my job at work or at home better. I will not be ashamed or feel guilty because darn it, nobody can do it all and frankly, who wants to? This includes hiring help around the house and/or childcare.

3. I will ASK. Instead of struggling along, letting things drop and being consumed by pressure I will ask my employer, my child, my spouse, my friends, my colleagues to look at another approach that will work for me and ultimately, them.

4. I will take sick days when I’m sick, not just when my children are.

Hmm, I can see I already need some work, go read the rest.

Post from: Blisstree

An Oath for Working Moms

There are user-generated articles, forums, interviews, a newsletter, places to share and get advice, a media watch, and, more. Soon to come are blogs, and, a freelance/jobs marketplace.

Even though it is billed as a “moms” thing, there might be some articles of interest to any working parent.

Go on over, and, check it out! Tell them I sent you. I won’t get you anything, but, it sounds good when I say that.

Post from: Blisstree

Work It, Mom!