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Planning - As a working mom, what's the use?

  
  

I'm certain that the majority of you that read this blog are parents, otherwise it would be extremly boring so I'll just get to the point. 

As a working mom, (and I consider all moms in or out of the work place to be working moms) does it seem to you that when you make a plan to do something the majority of time you have to cancel?  I've never seen this before becoming a parent and if I had a friend that canceled as much as I did, honestly I'd ditch them.

On average I cancel my plans about 80-90% of the time.  

Today is a perfect example.  I've been out of work the majority of the week due to a sick toddler.  I've had to cancel and reschedule numerous work appointments as well as time with friends for the 1-2 hours a week I try to get out for "me" time. I have plans with an old friend this evening that I'm not canceling unless there is an earthquake or something to that effect. 

We dedicate so much to our family as parents and I know this goes with the territory, but I find it very frustrating.  I get concerned that it may effect my career, my friends perspective of how very much I care about them and also my family - I'm sure they are tired of the constant rearranging of times and schedules.

Just so all of you know, I'm preapologizing now for all the appointments that will be rescheduled, the events that will be missed and the work days that will go by and not be worked.

This time will pass, as all that have gone through this before have promised, but it is a tough one for me since I respect everyones time and as the days go by and more playdates, conference calls, and family gatherings are missed I yearn "a little bit" for that precious time back.

Are you with me?

Comments

Completely agreed. For example (and believe me it is only one of too many), last week I had lunch with a girlfriend that I have not seen in over 6 months. We both work downtown (and pre-mom would meet after work) but I have had to cancel lunch too many times to count and finally went into a mode where I stopped trying to schedule it because I felt so bad about canceling. I will say that those folks that are true friends will hopefully react the same way mine did when I called her early last week after 4+ months of not calling and suggested meeting for lunch on Friday - and she hesitated (as anyone would do after being ditched so many times) but met up with me and we had a really nice catch up. I too am frsutrated by the tugging and pulling - understanding that it is all worth it and only here for a small number of years -- but in a strange way it is nice to hear that others face the same concerns.
Posted @ Tuesday, April 20, 2010 5:11 AM by Carla
I completely agree with the challenges of planning as a parent. My first year as a mother I remember feeling very upset and super frustrated about not being able to fulfill my plans (I used to be a super planner AND followed-through!). Someone more experienced told me that I should realize that having children was the end of planning and the beginning of truly being flexible with time. Slowly I have accepted this, and other things that have changed in my life after I became a parent. But boy is it tough. Now a days its a little easier but I think because I have accepted that I can make an "outline" and hope it gets filled in...on days even part of it does, I feel pretty damn good. You're not alone!
Posted @ Sunday, April 25, 2010 7:58 PM by Lili
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