Working Mom Link up

Always here to help Colleen I figured I would let you know about how my "Working Mom" life goes

1) What do you do for work and why do you work?

I work at Duke Clinical Research Institute. That is a large academically affiliated pharmaceutical and government research company. I personally work with the MegaTrials group which manages the trials for major pharmaceutical companies in trials that are very large, some being 15,000 subjects all over the world.

I work because my husband is currently a student getting his masters in Theological Studies at Duke Divinity and if I didn't wouldn't be making any money.

2) Did your mother work?
My mother was a working mom, and is now a working grandmother. She worked with both my self and my brother.

3) Describe a typical work day.

*Alarm goes off at 5:15 am
Hit alarm until 5:50 am
Shower and Breakfast
Wake Mary Margaret at 6:15 - 6:30 am
Nurse her until 6:49 am
Everyone dresses and we rush rush rush out the door
Drop MM off at caretaker at 7:30 - 7:45 am
Get to work late 8:00 am usually
Go to Nurse at 9:00
Work work work
Lunch at 11:30 at my desk while working
Pump at 12:00
Work Work Work
Pump at 3:00 pm
Leave at ~4:00 pm
Pick up MM
Fight traffic home usually get there at 5:00 pm
Nurse again at 5:30 pm
Play until 6:15 pm
Bath and bedtime prep
7:00 pm MM down for the night
Laura and Charlie have dinner/ watch TV/ do school work
10:00 pm bedtime for mommy

4) What's the best part about having a job?
Feeling like I'm using my mind and personality to work well with people. Read = making money

5) What's your least favorite part?
Driving into work in another city
Being away from MM all day
Not having complete control of her schedule
waking up early
Having to pump (vs. nursing)

6) What would make your life easier?
Working from home or at least a flex schedule where I could maybe work a half day at the office and the other half at home (after bedtime for MM).
Also working in the same city as I live would make it much easier.

7) How do your children handle their mom's career?
She has no idea

8) Do you feel supported in what you do?
I am blessed that I have a very supportive office, and homelife. Charlie would love if I could stay home, and that might happen, but for now everyone is very supportive.

9) What are your future goals when it comes to work/motherhood?

Charlie and I keep playing with the idea of me staying home, and with the knowledge that one of our sweet caretakers is leaving the area, might be the reason I step down.

On the other hand, I am scheduled to get a promotion at work, which may make it easier to pay for traditional daycare, and may make more flexibility in my schedule.

10) What are some tips that help you balance it all?
Well it really helped me feel better, that since Mary Margaret is so young. She has no idea that I'm at work all day. She is just having fun with her friends.

Also, I think being honest with your manager/boss about how you're feeling. Because if they really value your work, they will help you any way they can.