this is my “to-do box.”

this is what the bird thinks of my “to-do box,” and all of the various lists, reminders, work obligations and home-related chores that reside on note cards therein:

what a perfect metaphor for what it’s like to try to be a “work-at-home-mom!”

i catch myself envying moms who work full-time outside of the home and those who leave their jobs completely to become stay-at-home-moms. surely life in these neatly defined categories is, well…neater.

but then i remember these wise words from lisa belkin’s life’s work: confessions of an unbalanced mom:

“i have yet to hear from anyone who feels they are doing everything right. so it’s not just me who can’t do this — and it’s not just you, either. not a one of us seems to be able to give 100 percent of themselves to their job and 100 percent of themselves to their family and 100 percent of themselves to taking care of themselves. small wonder. yet we all seem to think someone (else) out there is getting it right; people who work full-time think people who work  part-time are doing it, and people who work part-time think people who don’t work at all are doing it, and those who left the office to tend to home think that if only they could escape back to an office, they might find sanity. but all of this misses the point. no one can do it, because it cannot be done…. this emotional and economic tug-of-war is the central story of our generation” (14 , 16).

belkin is no longer in search of balance. now she’s just after “a close approximation of sanity.”

i think she might be on to something.

[bibliography is located on the sidebar to the right.]

as seen in shape and redbook magazines…

first name: Jenny Newcomer

age: 34

occupation: Founder of LobotoME.com {goods to keep ME sane}

how do you structure your time and space? Both my husband and I work from home. My daughter is in kindergarten and my son, who is 18 months, is home with us. We both feel it is important to be around as much as possible for our kids (breakfast together in the mornings, time together after school, et cetera). I generally work out and get a jump start on my to do list early in the morning (5:00) before the kids are awake and bust out as much work as possible while my son naps during the day. My computer is turned off when my daughter gets home from school. Occasionally, I will work late into the night after the kids are in bed. I aim to have my days filled with 25 percent work and 75 percent mommy time.

using the metaphor of seasons to describe the phases of women’s lives,

-what are the particular challenges and highlights of your current season? I love the spring (so glad winter is over and the snow has melted). I love getting back out more, not hibernating as much, working out more (running more outside), starting seeds for the garden, et cetera.  Spring is a time of fresh starts and new beginnings.

-What season(s) preceded this one? Winter. I love the holidays but it is the busiest time of year for my business. Holiday sales and sales driven by New Year’s resolutions to get organized make winter a manic time of year.

-What season(s) might your future hold? Summer fun is in our future! Summers are my husband’s busiest time with his event production company, so I generally try to give him the time and space to focus on work. The kids and I spend the summer in our pond or at the pool and digging in our garden.

favorite family activity/activities: hiking, rafting, camping, gardening and traveling.

favorite solo activities: running, yoga, reading

sources of inspiration: There are too many to name. I am inspired by my parents in particular, but I am drawn to creative moms who are following their passions while at the same time making sure they are having fun with their kids. I am inspired by families who are adventurous in their travels and live simply at home. I’m also drawn to people who are trying (despite the uphill battles) to get people to be healthy and fit. I am in love with Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. I find tons of inspiration on blogs (my current favorites are listed on my blog at http://www.LobotoMEblog.blogspot.com)

best MakeShift moment: Goodness, I think every day as a mom is a makeshift moment,  isn’t it? I can tell you that on particularly busy shipping weeks in the warehouse, I will build rocket ships and other shapes out of  recycled cardboard boxes for the kids to play in while I work. Markers + cardboard = endless entertainment.

find Jenny on the web:

• shop:  http://www.LobotoME.com  : eco-friendly organizational products
•  read:  http://www.LobotoMEblog.blogspot.com
• tweet:  http://www.twitter.com/LobotoME