As I mentioned a few weeks ago, my friend Y has had a very successful run as a part-time associate, working reduced hours (about an 80% schedule) for years now. I asked her for some of the top tips she’s learned along the way, and she was kind enough to share her tips for both negotiating … Read More about How to Be a Great Part-Time Associate
Do You Have a New “Beauty Minimum”?
Did your “beauty minimum” change after having kids? On a bigger sense, did your perception of your own vanity change after having kids — did makeup seem more frivolous, not worth the time? Did you go back to your old routine after you went back to work — or did it take a few years for you to get back to your old beauty standards?
Tips on Negotiating Reduced Work Hours
I’ve always been in awe of one of my old friends, Y, who’s negotiated reduced work hours at numerous Big Law firms in a major market — and advanced while doing it. I reached out to her to ask for her top tips on negotiating reduced work hours and her own thoughts on the journey. Below, we present … Read More about Tips on Negotiating Reduced Work Hours
Types of Flexible Work Arrangements
Are you familiar with all the types of flexible work arrangements? Have you thought about asking for one, either because you’re currently pregnant and thinking about your return to work after maternity leave, or because you’ve returned to your regular schedule after having your baby and want to try something different? We’ve put together a quick reference … Read More about Types of Flexible Work Arrangements
How to Gamify and Measure Work-Life Balance
While work-life balance is something everyone struggles with (single, married, male, female, young, old), the conversation has certainly been dominated by moms in recent years. But when other groups start to share their thoughts about how they manage their own work-life balance, they have some refreshing perspectives. For example, I’ve seen two instances lately of men … Read More about How to Gamify and Measure Work-Life Balance
Open Thread: Work After Maternity Leave
What are some of your best tips for adjusting upon returning to work after maternity leave? What do you wish you’d known, or what did you come to realize? For my own $.02: Among my friends, the end of maternity leave has loomed large in all of our lives — but on a kind of sliding scale. … Read More about Open Thread: Work After Maternity Leave
Working Moms — and Playdates
2018 Update: We still stand by this discussion on working moms, playdates, and introverts — but you may also want to check out some of our other discussions on mom friends. As proud mama to a 4.5-year-old, I’m just going to come out and say it: I’m in playdate hell. To be clear: I like … Read More about Working Moms — and Playdates
Starting a Working Parents’ Group at the Office
A few months ago, a friend and I were talking about how her huge company has a pretty strict face time requirement at the office. As a parent she felt it really limited her upward mobility at the company, and she felt somewhat like she didn’t have a voice in the matter. So we began pondering: how … Read More about Starting a Working Parents’ Group at the Office
School Break Camps: Open Thread
Do your kids go to school break camps during winter and spring school vacations? With day care, you usually don’t have to worry — just send them to your regular provider. But parents of school-age kids need to find an alternative child care situation. Good sources for information about school break camps include local parent magazines and websites, and … Read More about School Break Camps: Open Thread
Framing The Idea of “Work” With Your Kids (Or, the “Mommy Needs to Work” Discussion)
As a working mother, do you think a lot about how you frame the idea of “work” with your kids? Did you need to have a special “mommy needs to work” discussion? Do you find that it’s important to you to frame it differently than, perhaps, your partner does? Do you do it as a reaction to mom … Read More about Framing The Idea of “Work” With Your Kids (Or, the “Mommy Needs to Work” Discussion)
Mamas, Holidays, and Stress
2017 Update: We still think this is an interesting discussion about mamas, holidays, and stress. Since it’s that time of year, you may also want to check out our posts on holiday business etiquette. So: anyone else feel like your head is about to explode? Between buying gifts for everyone, including in-laws, cleaning Casa Griffin for … Read More about Mamas, Holidays, and Stress
Nursing Clothes to Wear to Work
Which are the best nursing clothes to wear to work? If you’ve got a daycare at your office, or a daycare near your office, you don’t need to fuss with a breast pump — but finding nursing clothes to wear to work can be tricky. Can you look professional in comfortable, accessible, washable clothes? Reader … Read More about Nursing Clothes to Wear to Work