Reply to Moms with "big" jobs

Forum Index » Off-Topic

Reply to "Moms with "big" jobs - mentor me"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]OP, I'm a C-level exec in one of the 10 largest healthcare systems in the country. I am the top level exec for the largest component of the company. I also have 2 happy, smart, well-adjusted and high achieving kids. You have gotten a lot of good advice, but here's my 2 cents:

1. Yes, do outsource the mundane - cleaning, mowing, lunches, etc. If daycare/school offers lunch - buy it.

2. keep 1 calendar (one of my mentors told me this) You can't juggle a personal and a work calendar separately.
 
3. Book your kid time - I used to block out 11:00-1:00 one day a month to serve as the 'lunch angel' at my kid's school. Block it out under something and put "off-site meeting" or some other code. Tell your admin or whomever "I have an appointment away from the office" and go.  Ditto for all your kids activities and appointments. Schedule them and give them a code name so you know what it is.

4. Foster a climate in your department that values family. Several years ago I said to my boss "I'm sorry, but my daughter is sick, the nurse called, I have to go pick her up from school" My boss said "Don't apologize for your kids, children are not mistakes... go take care of your daughter and I hope she is ok" This woman was the mom of 5 who was the C-suite exec in my dept at the time.

5. Figure out a process that works for dinner. We always had family dinner around 6:30 -7:00 every night. It wasn't fancy, tacos, soup and grilled cheese, spaghetti, etc. but I meal-planned, shopped and prepped on the weekend, took advantage of pre-prepped stuff at Wegmans, etc. and we sat down together as a family.

6. Delegate your butt off at work. I have 8 VPs that work for me, I delegate most work to them and I provide oversight, interface with the board and CEO, remove obstacles, make big decisions, set strategy, etc. I don't get into the weeds. I delegate, follow up and hold accountable.

7. Birthday parties, etc. you need to keep it simple and use a place that offers full-service, that provides cake, pizza, etc. Most of the popular kid places will do this. If you want to do a family party just do a sunday afternoon BBQ, grill some burgers, put baked beans in the oven, ask MIL to bring a salad, get a cake at Giant.

8. Don't pay attention to the people saying negative things. My kids are awesome people, they work hard, make good grades and excel at activities. DS is a sophomore at a highly competitive college, he plays football and has a 3.7 GPA coming out of Freshman year. DD is 9th grade, she made the field hockey team, has terrific grades and has told me many times that I'm her role model for being a good mom :)

9. Most important thing - DH has to be a good, supportive partner. If he's another child then its not going to work no matter what you do. He has to be willing to share kid stuff, help plan vacations, run interference with his family when necessary. and just overall support you. Mine has moved twice for my career advancement, he was happy to eat leftovers 5 days a week when I was in grad school, etc.

10. Be kind to your admin. She/he will cover for you when you run out to the afternoon piano recital... or not.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics