More and more moms are finding that starting their own business is the best way to find family friendly work. According to a recent article I came across, a study by the Center for Women's Business Research reported that women own nearly half of the privately held businesses in the United States. Further, one in every eleven women is an enterprenuer!
Kaye Bowles, the author of the article, suggested that more women start businesses because of the flexibility that your own business offers. I agree. I see more and more moms (and dads) starting their own business because of the frustration of working for someone else.
I know I've shared many examples of how my own business has helped me find the flexibility I need. Again tomorrow I've been able to easily rearrange my schedule to make it to my kids' school Halloween parties. There is just something about that feeling of control that really helps you feel that you are doing well for your family.
The article points out, however, that you must pursue a business opportunity that you are passionate about. While you have control over your schedule, you still have to work hard to make a business succeed. If you don't like what you're doing, your family will sense it. Work that causes you to bring home frustrations is often not very family friendly.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Staying In
It is a rainy, cold Saturday afternoon and I couldn't be happier. We attended a Halloween Party for the kids this morning, but we have no other plans the rest of the day. I have on a cozy sweatshirt and fuzzy slippers on and I have my feet up in my favorite recliner getting ready to watch a movie with my son.
On days like this, I ask myself why we have to be so busy all of the time. Sometimes I feel like I just go from one commitment to the next, never actually enjoying what I do. I feel stressed out a lot, and I know that it is all self-induced. That is, I stretch myself thin, trying to keep my kids involved in things and always trying to accomplish as much as possible in a day.
It helps me sometimes to read books by 'real' moms that aren't always trying to be the perfect supermom. Here are some of my favs:
On days like this, I ask myself why we have to be so busy all of the time. Sometimes I feel like I just go from one commitment to the next, never actually enjoying what I do. I feel stressed out a lot, and I know that it is all self-induced. That is, I stretch myself thin, trying to keep my kids involved in things and always trying to accomplish as much as possible in a day.
It helps me sometimes to read books by 'real' moms that aren't always trying to be the perfect supermom. Here are some of my favs:
- Confessions of a Slacker Mom by Muffy Mead-Ferro
- The Three Martini Playdate by Christie Mellor
- Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott
Any other good ones out there?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Who You Know
When it comes to finding family friendly work, it s not always what you know that is important. Most often, it is who you know. Finding a job using your network of contacts has many advantages.
For example, through your network you can often learn of job opportunities that have not yet been made available to the public. Often jobs are filled through referrals before an advertisement is placed. Further, you can often learn through a contact if a company actually lives up to its' family friendly claims.
Many traditional opportunities for networking exist. You can go to parties that you are invited to, or try to stay after an important meeting to get to know key players at your company.
But it is the Internet that has given us the most opportunity to network. There are of course the well known social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. But from a business perspective we are starting to see some more professional online networking opportunities as well.
For example, I have spent some time this evening updating my contacts on www.LinkedIn.com. It seems to be a widely used site that allows you to enter your personal network with the opportunity to expand your network through your own contacts.
If you have done your research and want to apply at a company that you think is family friendly, such a networking site can help you find the right contact to submit your resume to. And at the worst, you have established a few solid contacts on the way.
For example, through your network you can often learn of job opportunities that have not yet been made available to the public. Often jobs are filled through referrals before an advertisement is placed. Further, you can often learn through a contact if a company actually lives up to its' family friendly claims.
Many traditional opportunities for networking exist. You can go to parties that you are invited to, or try to stay after an important meeting to get to know key players at your company.
But it is the Internet that has given us the most opportunity to network. There are of course the well known social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace. But from a business perspective we are starting to see some more professional online networking opportunities as well.
For example, I have spent some time this evening updating my contacts on www.LinkedIn.com. It seems to be a widely used site that allows you to enter your personal network with the opportunity to expand your network through your own contacts.
If you have done your research and want to apply at a company that you think is family friendly, such a networking site can help you find the right contact to submit your resume to. And at the worst, you have established a few solid contacts on the way.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
I Can't Help But Ask...
Every time I meet another parent, I rush to ask them about their work arrangement. I try to be casual, starting with "so what do you do?" From there, I have to know if they have any flexibility at work, and if they work in any kind of unique flexible arrangement I insist on asking for every detail.
When I was writing my book, people understood this uncontrollable need to learn about the different kinds of arrangements parents have negotiated. But even now that the book is finished, I still can't help my compulsion to learn about how other parents balance work and family. Obviously it is something I am passionate about, enought at least to write a book. But, I think it goes beyond that. In my own struggle to spend time with my kids without sacrificing my career, I find some comfort in learning that others have made efforts to find balance.
This week I chatted with two ladies with great work arrangements. Beth is an acocunt manager at a private airport. She works three, twelve-hour days (Sunday-Tuesday). Her husband works a traditional workweek and her parents watch her kids on Monday and Tuesday during the day. She is considered full-time and receives full benefits, but still gets to spend four full days a week with her kids.
Allison is a speech therapist, currently working just one day a week at a nursing home (second shift). She also fills in for other therapists on an occasional basis. While she has only a part-time income, she has complete flexibility and is able to keep her skills and licensing up-to-date so she can easiliy return to full-time work at any time she wants.
These are two from just this week. I am suprised on a regular basis about how many creative work arrangements parents have negotiated with their employers. I'm sure there are many more out there, and I plan to keep asking.
When I was writing my book, people understood this uncontrollable need to learn about the different kinds of arrangements parents have negotiated. But even now that the book is finished, I still can't help my compulsion to learn about how other parents balance work and family. Obviously it is something I am passionate about, enought at least to write a book. But, I think it goes beyond that. In my own struggle to spend time with my kids without sacrificing my career, I find some comfort in learning that others have made efforts to find balance.
This week I chatted with two ladies with great work arrangements. Beth is an acocunt manager at a private airport. She works three, twelve-hour days (Sunday-Tuesday). Her husband works a traditional workweek and her parents watch her kids on Monday and Tuesday during the day. She is considered full-time and receives full benefits, but still gets to spend four full days a week with her kids.
Allison is a speech therapist, currently working just one day a week at a nursing home (second shift). She also fills in for other therapists on an occasional basis. While she has only a part-time income, she has complete flexibility and is able to keep her skills and licensing up-to-date so she can easiliy return to full-time work at any time she wants.
These are two from just this week. I am suprised on a regular basis about how many creative work arrangements parents have negotiated with their employers. I'm sure there are many more out there, and I plan to keep asking.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Living Cheap
I was talking with another mom this morning about her work. She said she loves her job, but could make more money if she worked more. But she has decided not to, because she wants to spend time with her kids.
Is her retirement account suffering? Has she stopped saving for her kids' college? No. Instead of letting her family friendly work schedule affect her financial stability, her and her husband are cutting back in areas where it doesn't matter. They have older cars with no car payment, don't have cable TV and try not to eat out too much.
Financial management is an essential step in creating family friendly work. I'd love to remodel my bathroom, and buy all new furniture (everywhere in my house- everything we have is old!). But, instead, I get to spend a few extra quality days with my kids each week. It is a good trade-off.
There are lots of resources out there to help you better manager your money. Check out www.cheapskatemonthly.com, www.frugalvillage.com or www.frugalmom.com for some ideas to get started.
Is her retirement account suffering? Has she stopped saving for her kids' college? No. Instead of letting her family friendly work schedule affect her financial stability, her and her husband are cutting back in areas where it doesn't matter. They have older cars with no car payment, don't have cable TV and try not to eat out too much.
Financial management is an essential step in creating family friendly work. I'd love to remodel my bathroom, and buy all new furniture (everywhere in my house- everything we have is old!). But, instead, I get to spend a few extra quality days with my kids each week. It is a good trade-off.
There are lots of resources out there to help you better manager your money. Check out www.cheapskatemonthly.com, www.frugalvillage.com or www.frugalmom.com for some ideas to get started.
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