zCanadian Moms' Community Blog and Resource

One Door Closes, Another Opens

At least I hope that is true.  To be honest with you I am feeling a bit scared.  I quit my job to commit myself to urbanmoms.ca full-time and to have some flexibility to spend more time with my kids.  My last day was on Thursday.  Today, Monday, is my first day at home.  I can't believe I don't have to get up and drive to work!  I won't miss the commute, that's for sure, but getting into a new routine, especially one that doesn't involve a regular paycheque, is a bit intimidating.

For some reason I am feeling extremely emotional.  I could cry at the drop of a hat.  I had all of these plans to catch up on unfinished business and really get moving on things now that I have more time.  Unfortunately, life got in the way.  Being at home actually complicates things a bit.  My daughter woke up with the stomach flu (just in time for Halloween!) and since I am here, she only wants me.  She normally loves our babysitter and is thrilled to get out and about to visit her pals but today she wasn't going anywhere and it was only mommy she wanted.

Oh well, hopefully all of you urban moms can relate.  I am curious though, how many of you are trying to run a home-based business and how many are doing something else?  Take the poll below to let me know and see how other moms are making it work.

Taking a Break

I have been extremely busy as of late and have been fantasizing about who to hang out with when I finally get some kid-free, responsibility-free time.  I actually said to someone the other day, "Wouldn't it be great if we didn't need sleep?  We would have so much more time!" Yikes! Definitely time for a break.

This got me thinking.  How would all of you spend your time if you had the chance to take a break? Take the survey below and see with whom you and other urban moms across Canada would spend their time.

That Moment

Well, it has happened.  I have had that moment.  The moment that every mother knows is going to come.  It creeps up on us when we least expect it and hits us over the head or, over the heart really.  My six year old, sweet, empathetic little boy, my baby, my first, has moved on.  He has begun his own life.  Melodramatic?  Likely, but I think you will relate.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like he got a job and an apartment or anything but it feels just as big.  What has happened is that he now has a part of his life that is just his.  A part of his life that he doesn't share with me, no matter how hard I try. 

There was a time, not too long ago, where I was his best friend.  I was the one he confided in, told secrets to, and cracked jokes with.  We still do all of these things but it's different.  I am Mom.  Sometimes he shares his secrets, sometimes he doesn't.  Most of the time his loyalty to his friends stops him from telling too much.  This I admire but it also makes me sad.  I guess in a way I took our relationship for granted.  This was just the way it was. 

I knew that it was starting when on the first day of grade one after spending the night before and that morning calming his nerves we arrived at school and, instead of my regular hug and kiss, I got a high-five.  Kissing your mom was embarrassing.

I'm sure it gets easier...right?  It is only because it is the beginning.  I suddenly realize that I can't go back.  And soon it will change again.  Not only will I lose the public affection but our private cuddles will be limited too.  I will become embarrassing and annoying.  He will spend more time with his friends and I will be less and less a part of his life until, eventually, he is his own man.

This is what it is all about though so why am I upset?  Because no matter how well prepared you are or how committed you are to raising an independent and confident child, it is hard to let go.  I am so proud of my big boy and admire his new relationships and independence but, I will miss my baby.

Please share your comments below or send me an email with your ideas.

Jen

Introducing the urbanmoms.ca Job Board

This week urbanmoms.ca is excited to be launching our Urbanmoms Job Board.  In this section we will post jobs that reflect the needs of our members and visitors and offer urban moms in Canada access to part-time, contract, or short-term positions.  Many of the organizations utilizing this service are urban mom based companies too!

I think most of us would agree that the Superwoman complex of the '80s is a thing of the past.  We would also probably agree that relying on our employers or the government to help us achieve work/life balance has been proven to be unrealisitc.  That is why women in Canada are taking ownership and are at the forefront globablly in creating opportunities for themselves. 

In researching the viability of the Urbanmoms Job Board I came across some interesting statistics about women in the Canadian workforce.  Did you know that of women aged 25-44 currently in the workforce 33% are employed part-time?  And 34% of them site caring for their children as their reason for seeking part-time work (Stats Can 05-09-08).  In addition to part-time, 11.5% of Canadian women are self-employed.  In 2000 women entrepreneurs held ownership in 45% of Canadian small to medium sized enterprises (Stats Can).

Still, the majority of women do work full-time.  There are 2.8 million women aged 25-44 in the Canadian workforce working full-time.  However, The Motherhood Study conducted in the U.S. found that of women who incidcated they worked full-time, only 16% of women would choose full-time work if given the option.  In addition, 81% stated that motherhood is the most important thing that they do.

So we know that women are still looking for options.  However, they are now looking to themselves and other moms to help create these opportunities.  So, as urban moms ourselves, we knew that we could help facilitate this process and connect urban moms across the country with employment opportunities suited to our priorities.  Check out the new Urbanmoms Job Board!

If you or your organization is interested in posting a job on our Urbanmoms Job Board, please send us an email and we will happily get back to you with more information.

Jen