Monthly Archives: February 2013

One Company Does Not Dictate the Future of “Working From Home”

Posted in Parent Dilemma, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

“I think it’s difficult for a culture to transition from being reliant on in-person interactions to being just as effective in a distributed fashion — it’s something you can’t do halfway, and the change has to come from the very top. Just because Yahoo can’t do it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with being distributed.” – Matt Mullenweg, Automatic

photoOver the past few days, all of my news feeds have been cluttered with Marissa Mayer’s decision to put an end to “working from home.”  I will be honest in sharing with you that while I was very disappointed, I was not shocked.  A woman who is able to return to the office just after two weeks giving birth, Mayer is a hard-core, no joke woman.  Hell, at two weeks I was one hot mess of nipple confusion, soreness and an utter mess of tears.

I hesitated to comment on this story until I had time to really digest Mayer’s actions.   And it wasn’t until I came across an NPR article that quoted Matt Mullenweg (Genius and head of this very platform, WordPress) that I realized something very important.

Just because one company (albeit a major company) decides to put an end to telecommuting, it doesn’t or shouldn’t dictate the future of working from home.  There are many companies that thrive on this arrangement and there will be many more companies that will will offer telecommuting – in the right working environment.

Let me be clear – working from home DOES NOT apply to every job, career or function in the office.  It’s obvious, that your child’s pediatrician needs to be in the office to see your child when he is sick.  However, a programmer or accountant or me – marketing – can very well accomplish work from their desk at home – if they have a suitable work space.

I have worked one to two days a week from home for the past eight years.  In those eight years, my children were both with me as infants, babies, toddlers and then kids.  It was near impossible to get work accomplished while they were awake, but I worked feverishly when I could and learned to really be focused throughout the day.  I sat my babies in front of Baby Einstein and took conference calls in the next room (sometimes bathrooms too).  I knew the working arrangement was a blessing and I was determined to work harder to prove my worth.

Today, working from home is privilidge that I dare not take for granted.  Both of my children are now in school full time and I sit at my desk focused and getting a healthy portion of the week’s work accomplished in those two days than the three days I am in the office.

And I get it – I get what Mayer is saying.  She is trying to piece together a company that really needs help.  I am not sure I would do away completely with working from home.  I believe that will tamper with employee morale, but I do agree that there needs to be a physical presence where employees can share, create and thrive.  I find the social interaction with my co-workers really enhances my work and productivity.

I am sure this is not the last of this debate and all eyes will be focused into Yahoo.  Hold on Marissa Mayer.  I do not envy you.

A Work in Progress

Posted in A Work in Progress by

Below is a snip-it of a larger project I am working on.  I am counting on you to share your thoughts on the passage below.  Is this something you would like to continue reading? PLEASE BE HONEST.

MH900400912…..She was frightened by how this conversation would evolve,  but she was very much intrigued.  It had been by chance that her seat was changed minutes before boarding the flight.  God knows she had been in that women shoes not too long ago and vowed never to give another mother grief while flying – so she happily switched seats.  And because of the last-minute change, she found herself engaged in this conversation with this stranger who seemed so strangely familiar.

“It would not be wise to read anything but material which further enhances your career,”  he presumptuously stated.  “Time is too precious to waste on fiction – especially poorly written fiction.”

His response was unsolicited and her opinion, extremely rude.  Her days were over scheduled and idle moments were few and far between.

“Excuse me Sir, but productivity is stifled by a lack of ….”

“Excuses. Excuses.  You are all the same,” he interrupted.   “And that is why only 20% of women are CEO’s.”

His demeanor was condescending and her tolerance was low.

“I chose to sit here out of pity for another mother, ” she said.  “Please do not make this flight memorable in any way and pay no attention to my choice of reading material, music or in-flight meal”.

He chuckled.  “Your husband had mentioned your ability to fluster easily.  I just am surprised at how easily you are flustered.”

Open mouth she replied, “My husband passed several months ago.  I do not appreciate your arrogance!”

“I know, Bianca,” he said. “It was because of me that he passed away.”

“Good Evening Passengers.  We are next in queue on the runway and we expect to arrive in Heathrow, 7am – London time.  Sit back and relax and enjoy the journey, “ announced the Captain.

I am Listening to

Posted in Finally Friday, Fun times, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

On this sunny bright 54 degree Friday,

here in Central NJ,

I am working from home in my favorite spot in the house ,

with my desk facing the afternoon sun beaming through the window,

and listening to a tune that just needs to shared again on this blog.

Happy Friday Friends!  What are you listening to?

Pinterest – You Loose this Valentine’s Day!

Posted in Fun times, Parent Dilemma, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

photo(3)I am not certain that I can still blame Super Storm Sandy, but I feel like I am in perpetual catch-up mode.  Just last week, I realized that Ash Wednesday was less than one week away and Valentine’s Day was hot on its tail.  Sure I posted on my Facebook page cute crafts and ideas for children to do, but at the time of posting I assumed I had plenty of time to get my act together.

Wrong.

Sunday night I realized that the adorable crafts and cards I intended to let the children pretend to do was just not going to happen.  Between the chaos that is life, there was no way I could swing adding “making valentine cards” to the list.  So shortly after my epiphany, I found myself at Michael’s Craft Store with discounted Valentine supplies in my hand.  Armed with one box per child and one extra for mistakes, I brought home the easy-peasy Valentine crafts.  I am not certain these crafts were made with the intention of being cards, but they fit my need and most importantly, my children were able to put them together ALL BY THEMSELVES.

So Pinterest, with all of your allure of adorable crafts and cards and homemade gifts for teachers – you loose this round.  My sanity and my precious time out-smarted you.  Now mind you, I still sat for close to one hour spelling the names of 20 children and the words “to” and “from” for my Little Man, but I assure you, the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing both Little Man and his older sister create and put together their own Valentine Day cards was well worth it.