work life balance

Over the weekend my "wife" had to quit to watch her nephew while her sister tutors. And now I am scrambling to find a replacement. My husband just returned to work from paternity leave and so I am back to conference calls hoping my youngest will map and my oldest will play quietly for 15 minutes.

This morning I went into my daughters' playroom and watched my three year old arrange blocks in a checkerboard pattern.  I asked her what she was up to and got no response.  Then I asked her if she was focused, and she replied "I can't talk right now, I am focused."  Just like all of us, when she is focused on her task or project, she can accomplish a great deal in a concentrated time.

Interview with Career Coach Alexandra Jenkins

Who better to go to with questions about balancing motherhood, employment, relationships, and other life issues than a longtime friend and former college roommate? That’s what I did this month – I called on Erin Hutchinson to learn from her experience as mother, wife, full-time employee, volunteer, and quilter.

Tell me a bit about yourself and your various roles.

By: Cali Williams Yost for Fastcompany.com
(see below for site details)

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been repeatedly asked: “What do you think will happen to work+life fit and flexibility if the economy experiences a recession?”

The other day I was driving my two daughters with me to Cubes & Crayons (www.cubesandcrayons.com), when my older one, a proud 2 1/2 year old, said to me "I love Cubes & Crayons." My heart melted. I built this endeavor, flexible office space in tandem with childcare, with parents like me in mind, but also for my children. While my daughter has been able to spout that the "cubes are for mommies and daddies and the crayons are for the kids," for months now, it has been a tough transition for everyone. Being a mom is the most important thing to me.

Thinking about a new career direction?  Not sure if you are ready to take the leap into a new industry?  Meet Louisa Shields, Public School Administrator (former Management Consultant) and Bay Area mother of 3 young children.

Describe your career when you became a mom.
After my son was born, I returned to the same company,
Deloitte Consulting, and continued to pursue a partner
path in strategic management consulting.  However, I
had also negotiated a three-day, no travel work

Thinking about a new career direction? Not sure if you are ready to take the leap into a new industry? Meet Louisa Shields, Public School Administrator (former Management Consultant) and Bay Area mother of 3 young children.

Describe your career when you became a mom.
After my son was born, I returned to the same company,
Deloitte Consulting, and continued to pursue a partner
path in strategic management consulting. However, I
had also negotiated a three-day, no travel work

Recently, I was interviewed about my new company, Cubes & Crayons, by a local newspaper reporter. We offer flexible childcare in tandem with office space for parents and freelance workers. After several questions on the nature of our services, she asked me if this was a "feminist" business. A surprising question for which initially I had no answer. The question has gnawed in the back of my head for days now.

Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the authors of  Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-At-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work, a book offering strategy and advice to women resuming careers after extended time at home with children. With nine kids between them, Carol and Vivian have both taken time away from their demanding careers and have successfully returned to the workforce.

Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the authors of  Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-At-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work, a book offering strategy and advice to women resuming careers after extended time at home with children.