I am a proud writer for the Silicon Valley Moms Group, and every month, we have virtual book club meetings. A handful of bloggers read the same book, and we each post our thoughts on our personal blogs. It’s a great way to be part of a book club, especially when I don’t have time for non-family socialization… and I really love books. This month’s book is Just Let Me Lie Down by Kristin van Ogtrop, editor of Real Simple magazine.
I immediately fell in love with the book title, and then became enamored with the sub-title: necessary terms for the half-insane working mom. Instantly connecting to the subject-matter, I dived into the book.
Yep, I am a half-insane working mom: I choose to be a working mom, and respect any mom who is working (in the home, outside the home, and everywhere in between) to provide and care for her family. I connect with working moms, well, because I am one. I get the madness of driving from home to school to work (takes me at least an hour everyday), leaving work early to watch 15 minutes of dance class and eating dinner as a family, and then working until midnight to make up the time. We all do it. We all have our reality. And this book made me know I am not alone. It even made me laugh at the madness of my wonderfully crazy (and never boring!) working-mama life.
As the sub-title alludes, the book provides an “A to Z” look at newly created lexicon for working moms to embrace as they journey through life. Kristin created a “Mom 2.0 dictionary” peppered with wit and sarcasm (two of my favorite things!) leaving me with a sense of “Good Lord, being a working mom is hilarious.”
Corporate Seepage: All that said, I want to deep-dive and focus on my favorite “necessary term” from the book: corporate seepage. This term is self-explanatory, it’s when corporate-speak spills into the home. And then your kid starts using phrases and expressions that a toddler should not know exist, such as “Mommy, what is my bed time strategy?” in response to “honey, bed time is in 10 minutes.” Oy.
Recently, corporate seepage has been taken a step further. You see, my five-year-old daughter has taken it upon herself to set-up an “office” with a faux workstation, computer and office supplies. The other day, my husband was trying to get the kid’s attention, and simply heard the reply “Daddy, I am on a conference call, can you please hold for a moment?!” In fact, my daughter loves the conference call excuse. The other day, I was at home making dinner as Daddy and Kid were on their way home from dance class. The Kid blasts into the kitchen to hear me proclaim, “welcome home, honey, can I have a hug?” And what did I hear? “Mommy, I can’t talk right now! I have a conference call in 11 minutes!” So, she ran upstairs to her office… just in time to make her call. Whew!
Capturing her imagination: Despite the copious amounts of corporate seepage in my house, I also see some amazing and wondrous benefits of having two working parents in our house. I mentioned my five-year-old kid has a faux office in our house, but did I mention she uses her office to design buildings? She creates blue-prints, has meetings with clients, and has imaginary discussions about how beautiful her buildings look once they are engineered. She currently is working on designing a movie theater and an animal hospital. I swear, she comes up with all these ideas on her own… and I am bursting with pride.
Like any mother, I don’t care what career my kid chooses when she grows up. But I use these moments to remind her that she can be whatever she wants to be. I promise I am not pushing her into a world of competition and madness. But I love that she is learning to tap into her talents and imagination… just as long as she doesn’t miss that conference call in exactly 11 minutes!
Just Let Me Lie Down is available on Amazon.
– LTV Mom
Photo with Gina von Esmarch of Bowl Licker fame; Kristin van Ogtrop of “Just Let Me Lie Down” and Real Simple magazine; and yours truly.
Thank you to the Silicon Valley Moms Group for organizing a wonderful luncheon allowing us to meet Kristin and enjoy her wit and wisdom.
Just trying to squeeze in some television between mothering, working and crashing.
Well, I just received this book in the mail from my older (but not old) sister and cannot wait to get started! After reading this blog, I am even more anxious to get going. Although my career isn’t “corporate”, I do see evidence of career lingo seeping into my kiddos’ language patterns. And, as the mother of 3 boys (ages 7, 6 and 4), I hear that I have something in common with the author which will make the reading experience that much more fun for me!
Aren’t moms great!
Oooh, I’m so intrigued. Sounds like a must-read for me too. The other morning my 4-year old said: “Can we make it a goal today for Connor [his 17-month-old bro] not to jump on me.” Ok, not so proud of why he set a goal, but glad to know he’s learning positive skills from his crazy working mom!
I love to read (both books and blogs), so this combo is a hit with me! Can’t wait to check out this book! Thanks for introducing it. I love listening to my kids (~9 and 6) when they talk to each other or do imaginative play. Does this author talk about “parenting lingo” seeping into our children’s conversations? That’s insightful, too. A sense of humor and a genuine smile go a long way to making this crazy world of motherhood a precious and unforgetable journey.
I am happy to hear that “corporate seepage” is alive an well in other homes
At the dinner table my 7 year old Chloe is constantly talking about her business plan (a doggy and kitty spa) and what her strategy will be to attract more customers. Thanks for highlighting this book…it is now on my list of things to pick up this weekend! Now off to my conference call….ah the life of a working mom!
Oh dear! We too have some “corporate seepage” happening in my office. My 5YO daughter loves to setup “shop” in my office when she arrives home from preschool. However, she likes to have a conf call w/me (!) - just as I’m trying to finish up a few last emails. Can’t wait to read this book. Sounds relatable and funny!
My husband and I are actually excited to get the book. We will read it together. I have two boys, ages 11 and 14.They are both a challenge and growing up so quickly. They have so much energy and enthusiasm. My husband and I will sure relate to this book as well as many other people. I’m sure we will enjoy it. We are working couple and the kids understand the values of working hard and doing their best in everything.
I’m definitely going to order the book. It sounds great. For all of you with little children who might wonder if there will ever come a time when they understand that they shouldn’t try to talk with you while you’re on conference calls — I just want you to know — my kids are 13 and 15, and I have been working from home for almost 10 years — and they still try to talk with me when I’m on conference calls. They still write me notes and try to silently mouth words to me while I pull the phone away from my head and look at them like they’re out of their minds — and I’m thinking, “After all these years, how can you not know that I cannot talk to you right now.”
Although I’m home with my kids now, I remember those days well of juggling both inside and outside the house. At least in those days, I could make well-thought out educated statements and not be met with the response, “But why?” all day. This sounds like a great book for all moms, and yes, corporate seepage is alive and well here too. Preps them well for the future, I think
As a half-insane working mom, I hope that my daughter learns the importance of hard-work and dedication from the example that her two working parents set. Let’s just pray she doesn’t start saying the word “synergy” and speaking in only 140 character sentences!
Three cheers for working moms! Great post Stacy. So glad to hear your princess isn’t the only one who mimicks the corporate environment with her words and surroundings. I freaked out when Yvette used the word “appropriate” at the age of four and now talks to me about the day when she’ll have “clients that make her work late at night.” lol Still waiting for her to teach me about the”crisis of nine.”
I enjoyed reading your blog, I am sure everyone has stories to tell about how their careers influence their children. Definitely funny and I can certainly relate…. I feel exactly that way when I get home sometimes…
Although I love my career and what it does for others I often find myself wondering…When all is said and done…Will I say… I am so glad that I worked so hard and accomplished so much? or will I say…I wish I had spent more time with my kids…just a thought.
Great post! Although my husband and I aren’t exactly corporate, our 9 year old daughter enjoys using the medical and sign lingo that are in our household. This makes me realize that maybe they do listen to us sometimes and really do, in fact, look up to us
As the mother of three grown daughters in their 30’s now, I will have to look back. I have not read the book yet, but I think I will be able to relate to when my girls were making their own statements about life and the future. All three are successful individuals and it will be interesting for them to listen and watch their children grow up as I did. I hope everyone enjoys and remembers the special times, even though they are crazy once in awhile.
I am so happy that as a fellow working mom/friend you’ve introduced me to the SV Mom’s blog because it has been opportunities like meeting Kristin and reading her book that constantly inspire me and remind me how important it is to enjoy what you do in the work place and then enjoy all the time I have with my little ones and hubby. (That translates as = you inspire me). Loved seeing you! More please?
Stacy,
this made me smile. As a working mom who has spent the past winter season taking conference calls enroute to the pediatricians, breathing sighs of relief when I can put a child back to sleep at 5 am so I can get work done in peace, it was nice to be reminded that I am not alone. Ps can’t wait to see that animal hospital and Bella wants to know if your daughter can design a pink mermaid house that doesn’t allow little brothers!
I will have to check the book out. I wonder how much my home life lingo seeps in the workplace instead of the other way around. I often catch myself using my fake cuss words when I am frustrated at work. I like Sandy’s advice above. Time is moving so fast, its good to be reminded to enjoy the life you are living!
Great post, Stacy! Love that your baby girl is already seeing a world full of opportunity and stretching her fantastic imagination. And I do think that comes from the example you guys are setting for her. Also, just added “Just Let Me Lie Down” to my must-read list. Thanks for sharing!
~J
I saw the ad for this book in the Real Simple magazine and will definitely read it. Thank you for reviewing!
I loved reading this post. I plan to check out the book as the strain of “balancing it all” is in high gear right now. Knowing (and reading about) other moms that encounter the same issues and guilty feelings, is a great coping strategy. I found myself bawling the other morning when my youngest got ready for his last day of preschool. I wondered “why” was I such a mess just because of preschool. I think it was just another reminder of how I often don’t pay attention to “life” going on around me. I am so worried about getting something done, crossing something off a list, or hurrying somewhere, that I miss them, it, whatever, each day. I will add the book to my summer reading list. Thanks for sharing.