Of Work and Babies

Well it has been awhile since I posted anything and that is mainly due to the fact my life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately.  

I just recently obtained a new job with a lawfirm. It has been my dream of the last 10 years or so to obtain a job at this particular lawfirm.  It is indeed, the "Royal Family" of law.  So I was aiming high.  I have been studying part-time at night to become a legal assistant and I still have a long long way to go.  I found a position at this firm that does not require actual legal training, in the document processing department.  So BONUS right?  I applied for the job, and long story short, got the job and quit my job of the last 15 years to pursue my DREAM JOB (or at least my Dream Company to work for, to get to my dream job)!!  How cool is that?  How many people get to even go for an interview at their dream job?  Not too many I daresay.

So about the job.  I am learning.  It is a steep learning curve.  And lots of stress.  It will be a  long time before I am adept at handling everything that comes my way.  However, on the bright side, my boss did say she was proud of how well I was catching on and very impressed with how calm I am under pressure. 

Now I will leave that portion of the conversation and switch gears for a few minutes.

My little boy was sick this weekend.  At about 8:30am on Saturday morning everything went sideways and all plans for our long weekend together went out the window.  We are talking unpleasantries pouring forth from both ends. 

After dealing with this all weekend, I have found myself drawing similarities between being a mother who is handling a sick baby, and working in the job that I am.  I have decided that if you can handle a sick baby pouring from both ends, you can handle just about anything your work life will throw at you.

Lets see what handling a sick baby can teach you:
   How to manage changing priorities
   How to deal with demanding people
   How to work quickly and efficiently
   How to manage your time effectively  (ie, don't mess around on Blogger or Facebook when you know you only have a small window of time to shower, or whatever - which in fact I did do and paid the price)
  How not to sweat the small stuff ( ie, not to worry about the sheets on the bed when child is grabbing at your legs, crying, and wanting cuddles)
  Risk managment / discretion (ie holding half naked child whose bum is being aired out)

So it has been a very enlightening weekend.  I have learned much.  I realize now that even though at times I feel under-qualified for my dream job, I am indeed qualified.  I think when women who have chosen to stay home with their children re-enter the work force, they need to look at the basic skills that dealing with a child requires and really emphasize that to their prospective employers.

 It really is quite remarkable.  I'm always in awe of what is required of a mother and perhaps just a little bit sad that my mom is no longer alive so that I could tell her how much I appreciate what she did for me and my siblings.  Moms really are heros. 

Well those are the bits and pieces from my cupboards and drawers.

Till next time...

~ M ~