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

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.

How a Working Mom Failed Picture day (#PictureDay)

A picture day from preschool when I had my act together

There was a time when I only had one child and she attended preschool across the street from our home that I had a pristine calendar that I followed. That included noting that picture day was coming up, preparing for it and even going to the school to participate in it.

Well this year, I slipped.

That Time I Forgot Picture Day


I forgot that our son’s picture day was on September 18th. So, he attended school in a t-shirt, in need of a haircut. However, he was of course wearing his ever-present smile. We’ll see how that turns out.

For my daughter’s picture day, I remember to dress her appropriately. I did her hair. She was able to wear it out as opposed to in a ponytail and her face was washed and lip balm was applied! Still, I failed. Why? I forgot to send money for the photos! Oh well, I can take solace in the fact that she will look darn good in the class photo!


Here is a link to a post from Picture Day 2013, I was so good back then!

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