If you had told me a year ago that I’d be working for a San Francisco-based daily deal website that catered to moms I would have laughed at you.  Well, maybe not at you, but I definitely would have been chuckling on the inside.  I mean, I have a graduate degree in French Literature.  I spent the last eight years working at Sotheby’s Auction House.  My strengths are discussing existentialist literature and explaining a Jeff Koons sculpture.  What on earth would I know about finding a deal for a birthday party entertainer, or where to get a discount on those cute shoes I saw someone wearing at the water park?  Yet here I am entering month three of being a district consultant for Plum District.  And you know what?  I love it!  It’s such a gift to work at a place that not only embraces the fact that I’m a mom, but encourages me to use my newfound abilities in a business environment.

When you stop to think about it, you really do learn a whole new skill set as a mom.   And these aren’t skills I read about in the 16 books I bought during my pregnancy, or practiced in the myriad of prenatal classes I took.  These were learned over the course of twelve months in a constant array of trial by fire situations.  I can change a diaper while my child is running around the living room holding a maraca.  I can breastfeed on a park bench while emptying my diaper bag of long-forgotten raisins and puffs.   I can do the funniest pretend sneeze this side of the Mississippi.  I can have a heated discussion about the distance covered by projectile vomit.  I mean, these are serious strengths.  But then the sobering fact hits me that I have so much more to learn.  Sometimes I feel like I have completed my first year at Mom University and while I puff my chest out about my credentials, I cower when I see the upper classmen walk by toting scooters and soccer balls and (gasp) siblings?!  I watch them from afar with star struck awe.

They say knowledge is power, but from where do you get that knowledge?  In the world of motherhood, I think the only thing that prepares you for what’s ahead is to surround yourself with other moms.  We are simultaneously each other’s teacher and student, guidance counselor and teammate, mentor and mentee.  Plum District expands this network of knowledge by providing us all with great resources, ideas, and of course, deals.  As a district consultant, I look forward to sharing some of my education with you and your family.   And if you ever want to talk about those Koons sculptures, well that would be just fine too!

Many people dream of a “work from home job” – and not one of those seems-too-good-to-be-true scams.  I know I always did.

However, that dream changes and shifts, especially when you add kids into the mix.  It’s not always as wonderful or easy as it is thought to be.  I always pictured working from home to be something along the lines of being able to check my emails first thing in the morning over a cup of coffee while attending important meetings from my couch throughout the day.

Oh good – you’re laughing, too!

Then, my idea of what working from home shifted again after I found Plum District – all thanks to my husband, actually!  While I’m not conference-calling from the couch – I am working and maintaining a balanced life with two toddlers.  I really never thought it would be possible for me to able to work for a company like this with all I have going on and still able to stay home for my kids.

I’ll be honest.  It’s not easy.  It takes a lot of P’s: prioritizing, pre-planning, then more planning, preparation and patience.

It is possible, though.  I do a lot of my work off-peak hours – after the kids go to sleep, on weekends and during nap times.  If I plan it right, I can get some things accomplished during the day, too.  I sneak in emails and phone calls when I can – in between doing the household work, taking care of my kids and going out and about for errands and such.

Of course, I have those days where nothing seems to get done.  That’s when I table what I can for later, or another day and focus on what needs to be taken care of.  It can be frustrating, but I know it all gets done eventually.

However, my family has always been and will always be my first priority.  It had to be a very special opportunity for me to decide to take time away from my kids and family and I’m proud to be with Plum District.

Plum District is truly an amazing group of people that I have the pleasure to work with and for – both here in Connecticut and all over the U.S.  I love what they represent and the opportunities they provide for the businesses and companies they promote in addition to the opportunities they provide to their own employees.

So, if you’re considering a career change or are looking for some inspiration, then I’d like to share with you one of my favorite quotes by Oprah Winfrey.  She once said “You CAN have it all. You just can’t have it all at once.”  I feel right now I certainly have the best opportunity to have a lot – if not “all.”  I feel even luckier to have found an organization that not only recognizes that, but actually supports and encourages it.