GrimThing.com

A personal blog with topics on computers, video games, technology

Menu
Menu

Cereal Mom

Posted on February 5, 2012 by admin

I recently heard a woman say that being called a “work at home mom” was professionally demeaning. Being one myself, my initial reaction was to agree with her. “That’s right, I’m a professional, I’m not just a bored housewife dabbling with a hobby here,” I said to myself.

Upon reflection however, I came to realize that I disagree. Deeply.

Working out of your home while caring for children makes for some unique (and comical) situations. If you can’t have a sense of humor about these things, then maybe a field job is more your style.

But let’s face it, just how professional can you be when much of your work is done with a toddler on your lap? And that is, after all, one of the great benefits of working at home; you can consult with clients wearing bunny slippers if you like. Who’s to know? Sometimes we just need to keep things in perspective. I know that the work that I do is top quality, and I don’t sweat what others think of my work environment.

But I do wonder how that woman deals with some of those little challenges that come with being a work-at-home parent.

For example, maybe she feels that going out of the house with soggy Cheerios stuck to her behind would be professionally demeaning. She must have found a way to avoid this. I should call her…

Not being able to locate a pen because they’re all in use fishing Barbie clothes out of the toilet. This might be seen as unprofessional.

Or, while trying to convince a potential client how you would be the best choice if he’s looking for quality, professional results your 2-year-old is proclaiming proudly, “I went poo-poo Mommy!” over and over.

I’ve known others who have tried to mask their true work environments using some creative metaphors. For example:
“As soon as my colleague completes his current assignment” really means…”As soon as my 5-year-old is done with his Mr. Potato Head CDRom”

“We’ll be outsourcing the finishing work” really means…”My teenaged daughter will be earning her allowance by collating and stapling your reports”

“I have an urgent matter to attend to” really means…”My 3-year-old has been awfully quiet for the past few minutes and she was recently asking for a haircut”

Does this mean I should lock my kids in their rooms while I’m on the phone? While that can at times seem like a perfectly sensible idea, usually basic time management helps to avoid these situations. My view is that if a client thinks that the quality of my work will be less just because I have children, he can look elsewhere.

Maybe I’m shutting the door on some business, but I refuse to have my children feel that they come second. And I do, in fact, think of myself as a Mom first, and a business owner second. Besides, I think that the day is getting nearer that people really won’t mind their projects delivered with a few soggy Cheerios on them.

To subscribe to her free ezine:
http://www.2work-at-home.com/subscribe.shtml

This article may be reproduced providing it is published in it’s entirety, including the author’s bio. For a text version via autoresponder, send a blank email to cerealmom@sendfree.com

Related Posts

  • Your Mission Field At Work

    One point many Christian Working Moms who have been interviewed have made is that they…

  • Sole Work

    For the past several years I have struggled with getting (and staying) fit. Ok I…

  • Creating a Work Environment That Works

    Whether you are working at home, in the office, or in your car -- your…

Category: Uncategorized

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Archives

  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010

Tags

answer article articles attention business chances college customer days estate good great hard heard important internet life list love market marketing message money online past people question real sales start step succeed success thing things time today understand valuable ways words work world writing years
© 2023 GrimThing.com | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme