Don’t apologize for your interrupting children

04/19/2012

I used to work in a corporate setting where I had a nice little office with a big desk and a door. During conference calls, I would turn on my phone speaker, put my feet up on the desk and get down to business. My only worry was if a fire truck blazed down on the street below and interrupted our conversation.
These days I work from home and it seems like my office door doesn’t exist. Don’t get me wrong, I love the flexibility and comfort of working at home but something happens the minute I pick up the phone. As soon as I lift the phone from its cradle, four little feet are magnetically drawn into the room and demand my attention…at that exact moment!

Recently I was leading a video presentation for a group of prospective clients and midway through the call, my daughter wanted my attention. Cool as a cucumber, I lifted her onto my lap, introduced her to the group and continued on with my presentation. Well, that lasted about 45 seconds. Then my dear Lilly wanted to talk to the group and wear my headphones. When I politely shhhed her, she decided to throw a temper tantrum. My cool demeanour quickly dissolved! I frantically tried to find the mute button so that I could sternly ask her to leave the room and yell up to my oblivious husband upstairs. In my moment of frenzy, I don’t think I actually found the mute button so the group probably heard both my stern mommy and crazy-wife yelling voice.

I quickly apologized about four times for the interruption! Fortunately it was all women on the call and most had kids. So they probably understood and had experienced the same situation. But it dawned on me – as work-at-home moms, should we be apologizing for our kids?
Hell NO, I say! We are women who are balancing it all – work, kids, a husband, a household (albeit a disaster!). We are SuperWomen and we should be proud of all that we can manage! Instead of being embarrassed about their little ill-timed interruptions, let’s own up to having the little critters! Let’s be proud that we are powerful women who can juggle a sippy cup, change a poopy diaper and find a toy lost under the couch, all while conducting a business call! Who needs a cushy office, not me!

Work-at-home moms, if you are looking for an entertaining and informative read on mompreneurism, “Mommy Millionaire” by Kim Lavine is great!