I found reference to a great new book in the always helpful Kristie T’s Home-Biz-a-Palooza blog. I am going to buy a copy as soon as I find the energy to go downstairs and get the credit card out of my purse (it has been a long day!).
It is called Bye Bye Boardroom: Confessions from a New Breed of Stay-at-Home Moms by Rachel Hamman
The forward explains it best:
"When I made the leap from corporate America to carpool America, I didn’t know what I was in for. The seemingly simple move of trading in my briefcase for a diaper bag unearthed a mountain of emotions that I was not quite ready or equipped to deal with.
As a formerly confident, organized and effective leader, I found myself having to navigate in uncharted territory. I had negotiated big contracts, landed mammoth business deals, created corporations and gone toe-to-toe with savvy CEO’s, but nothing had prepared me for being a fulltime Stay-At-Home Mom.
The last year has been an incredible journey. Initially, I experienced a loss of identity, feelings of isolation and pure dread. Throughout the transition, however, I realized that these feelings were extremely natural occurrences and that a multitude of women were finding themselves wracked in guilt for not loving every minute of being home with their children. I emerged from the year with a renewed sense of self and an empowering way to redefine Women’s Lib.
“Bye-Bye-Boardroom; Confessions From a New Breed Of Stay-At-Home Moms” is intended to be a comical, yet earnest, look into the hearts and minds of women who have already made the transition out of the boardroom. I extend a heartfelt thanks to the women who were willing to share their intimate stories about being a Stay-At-Home Mom. When you open these pages, you are treated to a glimpse of each of their lives, coupled with a peak at their souls. "
I can’t wait to dive in and read the stories. I am hoping it includes examples of people like me: stay-at-home-and-work-at-your-business-while-your-kid-sleeps-or-is-occupied-with-toys-for-5-minutes-mom.
Thanks for the lead! I can’t wait to read this one! I am going in the opposite direction, at the moment — I’m a mother of six, who founded a hi-tech company 2 years ago.
My key to sanity has been to ask this question: What is the one single thing that I should be doing right now? (Paying attention to a child, making dinner, returning e-mails, writing specs…) I find that the feeling of being overwhelmed is the feeling of competing demands. Clarity of immediate focus makes me effective instead of overwhelmed or stressed.
Of course, there is the big-picture, which requires regular review (every couple of weeks): how am I doing at fulfilling my roles?
Thank you! I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog — yes, I got to you through Guy K.