New Mommy Files, Part 16

Having a job is, well, a job. But being a working mom is its own animal altogether. I've spoken to some of my other mommy friends so I know I am not alone when I simply say, "It's hard!" I'm not even bringing in the daycare part of the situation. I'm just talking about plain-out working. My level of concentration seems to have dropped along with the boobs. Why is it now nearly impossible for me to sit at my desk and think something through? And my memory has gone by the wayside, too. I look back fondly on the days when I could hold a thought I wanted to jot down long enough to make it back to my desk from the bathroom. I don't know whether to attribute these lapses on age, pregnancy, mommyhood or maybe it's a combination of all of the above.

I also didn't realize how useful quiet time at home was when it came to gathering my thoughts or organizing myself for work. Can't come up with a headline? No problem. I'll do it at home. Need to plan out an agenda for a meeting? No problem. I'll type it up at home. No more, honey. Those days are long gone. What I can't accomplish in a day's work just won't get done. I have tried too many times (unsuccessfully!) to clear my head and concentrate on work at home. Raine is a good baby, but she's not having that. Do it after she's gone to bed, you say? Well, by that time I'm completely burned out. So my options? Get up early and hit the computer before I hit the bus. Or add a few more hours to my day and work when the office gets quiet. Seeing that it is usually well after six before the office clears out, that doesn't seem like a viable option. I'll figure it out. I guess it all goes back to organizing your day and doing your best to stick to it.

One day before Raine is 18, I'll get the hang of it.

Marcia Caster
Senior Editor, Beauty and Fashion
mcaster@heartandsoul.com