A Secret to Success as a Working Mom: Turn Burn Out Into Bliss and Embrace Joy

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Last weekend my youngest was committed to going to the "Water Steps" a man-made water fall in Pittsburgh by the rivers. (Fun Fact: Three rivers converge in Pittsburgh--The Ohio River, The Monongahela River, and the Allegheny River.)  He kept asking. I knew he was serious when he said, "If you won't take me, I'll ask  daddy!" Given that it was highly unlikely that would happen on an unscheduled day, I relented. So, we went. It wasn’t planned in the way most things in my life are. No calendar block. No checklist. No “productive” purpose attached. And, so in some respects it was uncomfortable. And yet, it seemed necessary. It was the idea of my 8-year-old—offered with the kind of urgency only children possess when something is profoundly important to them.
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Comments from a Working Mom: Happiness in the Holiday Season

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It’s the holiday season, which means that there is shopping, baking and cleaning to do. At the end of it is a pile of gifts, lots of cookies and a clean home. In the meantime, there is a lot of work to be done. Sometimes, in the midst of it the frustration can distract us from the fun.

As I mentioned in a prior post, this season I am committed to finding the in the standard and stressful parts of the holiday preparation.

Tree trimming is one of the most pleasurable parts of the holiday season. This photo captures the toddler putting a star at the top of the tree. She made it somewhere. It's paper, but somehow it still shines brilliantly.


Tree trimming

 

Holiday parties make the season worthwhile. You get to get dressed up, party around pretty lights and dance. I only tend to visit the Fox Chapel Country Club during the holiday season, but I always enjoy it. They do a great job with the food and the decorations.   Even with Andre's big hands you can see the baby bump peeking out.



Andre and I attending a holiday party at Fox Chapel Country Club

Every year with the help of Hallmark I send out Christmas cards to about 150 of our closest friends. In years when I am really organized, I also send out separate blog cards. This is not one of those years! For those who struggle with sending out cards, Hallmark makes it super easy. You load your addresses in once, select your card, upload your photo (if that floats your boat) and Hallmark mails the cards for you. It is super easy and it gives the illusion that you're really organized. It's a working mom's dream! (If only wrapping gifts were that easy...) 
 
Christmas Card 2013
 

Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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