Archive for Working Moms
Mommy Wars = Energy Gone Wrong
Posted by: | CommentsI read an interesting article, and slew of comments today, on workitmom.com (great site, BTW) regarding Dr. Laura’s new book, In Praise of Stay at Home Moms. At first, I felt all riled up. Another attack on Working Moms!! Can’t people leave these wonderful women in peace?!?!?! Then I viewed the Today Show interview where Dr. Laura talks about the book and read her book excerpt. Did that change my mind? No. But I did start to noticed how tired I felt. How it was hard to keep my attention from wandering. That’s when I realized that generating a huge outrage against Dr. Laura does nothing more than sell more copies of her book (and frankly, I’d rather just sell more copies of mine!). Further, if there was any piece of advice working moms could take away from Dr. Laura’s book – I haven’t read it, so I don’t know – they won’t. They won’t even buy the book, just like I don’t plan to buy it.
My biggest rule of thumb is that it’s senseless to talk if no one is listening. So shhhhh…… let’s just enjoy the silence for a moment, and then go back to our busy days wherever they are – at home or at the office.
Working Moms – Friends or Foes?
Posted by: | CommentsSome of you may have read by now the article on the Motherhood Penalty on Business Week’s working parent’s blog. The article is about a research study that found working mothers were 100% less likely to get a job interview than women who did not present themselves as mothers on a resume. While the statistic is quite shocking, what’s really interesting are the sentiments expressed in the comments following the article.
Really, are the mommy wars still going strong? I am now in an enviroment full of momprenuers, so I rarely run across the non-mom these days. However, my life at a Fortune 50 company is not that far behind me, and I must admit, I never felt the mommy wars there, either. So the venom, and defensiveness, of some of the post really surprised me.
I found that once I was a parent, managing an employee became a piece of cake. Convincing a toddler to eat veggies or go to bed is just as challenging as motivating an employee or managing a crisis at work, and the two worlds – work and home – end up supporting each other very well. I also know that the year I had my first child was the year I received my highest performance rating at work and I continued to receive high ratings and big bonuses from then on - more than when I wasn’t a mom.
I also know that EVERYONE at my old company was working online after 9:00 PM, kiddos or not. There just wasn’t time for backstabbing and gossiping or the overall waste of energy that it takes to complain about a co-working leaving to take care of a sick kid. I attribute this to my former manager who created a very supportive culture. Frankly, one would look like a real jerk if he or she started griping about someone not pulling their weight. If you have a problem with someone in your office: First, look at yourself in the mirror – what bothers you about someone else is something that bothers you about yourself. Second – talk to them directly about it instead of feeding the rumor mill.
It’s that easy! I left my last employer to write a series of children’s books dedicated to explaining the world of work to kids (www.mommytrip.com). The intent is to help not only children understand what mom and dad do every day and why they can’t always be around, but also help the parents really ROCK their lives. If mom and dad can build a rich life at home and at the office, then our children are raised in happy homes and the world becomes a better place for everyone. It’s that simple.
I would love to hear if you think the mommy wars are alive and well in your world or not, and if they are, what are you doing to put a stop to them?
May The Fourth and Rabid Fans
Posted by: | CommentsI heard on NPR today that the second highest search on Google in early May was the date, May 4th. Why? Because of Star Wars fans, of course! Don’t get it? Neither did I, until they explained it. Then, my marketer’s heart started to pound with excitement!
We all know the phrase, “May the Force be with you”. Star Wars fans, the RABID FANS – you know, the ones who attend conferences, know every story line, and perhaps have a costume or two around the house, celebrate May the 4th as an unofficial Star Wars holiday. Why? So they can say, “May the Fourth be with you.” Is that fantastic or what?! Imagine a group of people identifying with your brand/product so powerfully. It’s stunning. It’s what so many companies strive for, yet most fail miserably. There are very few brands that have reach that kind of stature and we should recognized for them this supreme achievement. I can only hope my own book, My Mommy’s on a Business Trip, gets that kind of following among working moms one day! Conventions, online groups, meet up groups, etc. – all celebrating the struggles and triumphs of the working mom. Hmmm… stay tuned… we certainly are a force, aren’t we?
If you had to pick a brand you absolutely love, what would it be? Why is it one of your favorites? I’d have to say that mine is Costco. My experience there is always consistent, I’m never disappointed with the products, and if I end up there at the right time, I always leave with my belly full!