What I Do

Honestly, this has been a real question mark for me in the past year. Everyone you meet wants to know what you do, meaning for work, money, career of course.  I used to do all kinds of amazing projects in my line of work.  I am a TV producer by trade.  There was always a next project lined up to go to upon wrapping the first one - even if I spaced them out to allow for a brief holiday in between.  Series format, comedy, lifestyle, celebrity, ego - that is what I do - it became who I was.

Suddenly a grey area exists between what I do and who I am.

Then the grey turns black.

A divided line between what I do and who I am.

This has never happened before.

Like a shedding of skin the what I do feels as though it's become a part of my past. What do I do now? I spend my day with my toddler sharpening my negotiating skills, making snacks, building towers, playing troll, reading books, singing songs, doing laundry, taking walks, meeting friends, exploring, sifting through gravel for shark's teeth, enforcing time outs, washing Barbie mermaid and daughter's hair,  having dance parties in the kitchen, doing groceries, cleaning the house, practicing and teaching yoga.

What I do I can't pin point. My days are full, at night I am tired.   Perhaps it's not as exciting to an acquaintance at a gathering to say I'm a stay at home mom - but to me it's far more impressive than any TV series I've ever produced.  It's pretty cool to have the opportunity and luxery to fill my days with my toddler's related activity.

My new reality is this, I get to be in the present, because the present is the only time a toddler knows. Perhaps this is the greatest gift my daughter has given to me  - the ability to just be here in the now. It doesn't matter too much what's next for in life we are fluid and as long as our most basic needs are met what's next will work itself out.

So for now this is what I do.

Work Shmerk and Family

It's 2011, and this officially marks the third year I've not had a juicy TV contract to launch into to rid myself of the January blues. This is absolutely of course due to choice. I want to be at home with my kiddo until she is school age. It's an important foundation I want to lay with her early development. Fortunately we are in a postiion where this is an option for us. However, this does not mean not working at all. I'd like to get into some short term contracts and development deals. My brain needs to be engaged and I need to work. I like to work!

In addition to teaching two yoga classes a week, I've been trying to hammer away at two TV proposals to pitch when I get to a very important meeting next week, write emails to former employers requesting meetings to discuss possible contracts for 2011 and handle a toddler. Oh yeah, and my house is for sale, so, I've got to keep it looking like a show room and I lost all of last week when Fin had a gastroenteritis and spent the week puking. There simply are not enough hours in the day some days. I digress.

I LOVE my career. I also LOVE to be with my daughter. I'm not the only parent on earth who is trying to figure out the balance of a harmonious career and home life. If only there was a secret to it all and I could just tap into it.

So is there a secret? What are you mom's doing that makes your life easier while juggling family and career? If you work at home, how do you carve out the hours needed to get your gig done and not comprimise on childcare, career, health or sanity?

I'll take all tips and advice!