Working Mom Diaries

Confessions of a control freak

This last month (and yesterday's post) really got me thinking about managing my stress levels.

I know what I should be doing: "Set priorities, delegate, let go of what you can't control." That's what all life coaches and psychologists will tell you (and through Working Mom magazine, I've met a lot).

So why couldn't I do that this month?

Setting priorities -- well, kind of hard when the choices are family and work (in my case, a sick child and a magazine deadline that couldn't be moved). I really had to be there for BOTH of them, because it's not like I could tell my son to please postpone his virus till after July 10.

Delegate? Yes, that sort of worked for me. My husband really came through for me this week; he took our son to the doctor and stayed home when I couldn't. But I couldn't exactly rely on my maid -- and there are some decisions as editor-in-chief that I can't pass on to my staff, even if they are brilliant and loyal.

So the real issue is letting go of what I can't control. (Do you have trouble with that, too?) My body says: "Yup, this is all I can do right now. Can't win them all." My mind says: "No, no! You got to do it! Find a way! Push yourself! Here, have another cup of coffee!"

So -- I've decided. My goal for the next year is to FIND A WAY TO LOOSEN UP. Let go. Laugh it off. CHILL. Hmmm. Not going to happen overnight, but I think it's the best thing I can do for myself. I can't control everything, but I can filter how it affects me.

Anyone want to join me in this search for a stress-proof life? I'd love to hear how YOU manage. And from time to time, I'll post whatever I find out works for me.

I have survived!

I have been a very bad blogger.

I'm so sorry for not posting more regularly or replying right away (but I've emailed you guys na...). It has been one crazy, crazy, C-R-A-Z-Y month. And your comments and encouragement were one of the things that helped me get through it!

First... my maid quit. She said she was just going home to enroll her daughter... then she never came back. We found a replacement but she was NO HELP AT ALL. She broke things. Lost things. Stare at me blankly whenever I gave instructions. To give you an example...

Last weekend, I had to run errands for a party. I picked up the cake, but my husband texted that we needed ice. He hold the maid to wait outside so I wouldn't have to bring everything with me to the supermarket.
To cut a long story short, when I got to the gate, she wasn't there. She'd waited outside, all right -- OUTSIDE THE DOOR.

Second... right at the height of editorial deadlines, my son came down with a fever and bad cough. Poor darling was so congested he couldn't sleep well at night (which means I don't, either).

Third... HOUSE PROBLEMS + KID PROBLEMS + WORK = VERY TIRED MOM. It's not the big crises that burn you out; it's several small emergencies happening at the same time, so you run around in circles, feeling very distracted and inefficient.

But, as the movie The Crow says, "It can't rain all the time." I've found another maid. My son's feeling better. And, hallelujah, we've finished the next magazine issue. YES, I HAVE SURVIVED! And I am going to eat ice cream generously smothered in chocolate sauce to celebrate.

If you're having one of those weeks -- hang in there. It will pass. There is light (and ice cream) at the end of the tunnel.

Scrapbook contest extended!

Good news! To celebrate Working Mom magazine's new 'baby' -- our free crafts magazine, Artplay -- we've extended our scrapbooking contest! The new deadline is July 25.

Re-posting the mechanics for the new readers. Welcome to the blog. Come again soon, we'll be announcing contests regularly!

Mechanics

Theme: Make a scrapbook layout about the first day of school. Format must be 12 x 12 or 8.5 x 11. Include your thoughts on this question: "What's the one thing you want your child to learn this school year?"

Eligibility: Use at least one Stemma paper in your layout (the papers are available at lastingimpressionph.com and will be sold at 20% off during this period). All employees of ABS-CBN Publishing, its subsidiaries, and Scrappin' Moms can participate but are automatically disqualified from winning.

Prize: Overnight stay for two at Paradizoo Theme Farm in Mendez, Cavite. Winners will be announced on August 10, 2008 in this blog.

Submission: Email your layouts and proof of purchase to wm.challenge@gmail.com on or before July 25, 2008, 12 midnight. Files must be 300kb or less. Please include a short profile in your email: your name, age, number of kids/ages, and a description of your typical day.
Additional reflection points: No these are not required in your journaling! But they're worth thinking about, even if you're not joining the contest.
1. Why does this lesson mean a lot to you?
2. How are you teaching it? Think of 5 simple things you can do to reinforce the lesson at home. If it's really that important to you, then get involved!

Happy scrapping!