Every once in awhile, when talking with another mom, I get the question about why I went back to work.
Part of it is financial, but if I decided to stay home full time, my husband and I could probably figure something out. So really, it is a personal choice.
Sometimes, going to work is a relief. I get to be in control of my day and have adult conversations. I can close the bathroom door and eat lunch without worrying about utensils getting dropped or thrown. I am usually more tired after the weekend than on a week day. Most of all, I enjoy the challenge of the work that I do.
Sure, sometimes I feel guilty and fear that I may scar him for life. Especially when I count the waking hours my son is in child care vs. with me. So I make sure that the time we are together is quality time. Plus, I believe I am happier with the balance I have chosen.
I have decided that working is part of my identity. It defines me as something more than a mom.
Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against that title or choice, but it is not my primary definition for myself. Even if I stayed home full time, I think I would still be involved in something aggressively, like a mothers club, church or community.
For now, I choose to apply my skills to a full time job. I say for now, because that may change in the future. I may look at part time options or helping community organizations.
As we all know, as our families change, our priorities change. My priority will always be my family, but I have chosen to balance that with other activities and work in my life.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
No more paper towels
The intent of Lean principles are to reduce waste. One new year's habit I started to implement is reducing paper waste in the kitchen.
There are two areas I am working on:
1. Napkins
Eating with a toddler can be messy business, but I am trying out cloth bibs for baby and cloth napkins for the rest of the family. I went shopping after the holidays and found some cheap placemat/napkin sets to use for everyday meals. Since it is just my husband and I, we do not go through them very quickly.
I have a stack of washcloths that I use for wiping up baby and messes after meals and throw them in a wash pile each day. I have enough to last me a week. You can use baby washcloths, cloth diapers or rags.
2. Paper towels
I used to lean on paper towels because they are easy. You can wipe up spills and throw them away without another thought.
The trick to create an easy to use system with cloth, is to make rags and/or towels accessible and plentiful. I realized I had a lot of kitchen towels around that I never used. Once you clean up a spill, hang the towel in the laundry room to dry. I rarely have more than half a load at the end of the week.
Next step for cutting waste, reducing packaging. I buy a lot of high use dry goods in bulk at Club stores, but that usually comes with a lot of extra boxes. Granted, most of it is recyclable, but another option would be to bring my own containers and fill them at the bulk bins of the grocery store. I have not made any changes yet, just thinking about it.
What waste reduction ideas do you use at home?
There are two areas I am working on:
1. Napkins
Eating with a toddler can be messy business, but I am trying out cloth bibs for baby and cloth napkins for the rest of the family. I went shopping after the holidays and found some cheap placemat/napkin sets to use for everyday meals. Since it is just my husband and I, we do not go through them very quickly.
I have a stack of washcloths that I use for wiping up baby and messes after meals and throw them in a wash pile each day. I have enough to last me a week. You can use baby washcloths, cloth diapers or rags.
2. Paper towels
I used to lean on paper towels because they are easy. You can wipe up spills and throw them away without another thought.
The trick to create an easy to use system with cloth, is to make rags and/or towels accessible and plentiful. I realized I had a lot of kitchen towels around that I never used. Once you clean up a spill, hang the towel in the laundry room to dry. I rarely have more than half a load at the end of the week.
Next step for cutting waste, reducing packaging. I buy a lot of high use dry goods in bulk at Club stores, but that usually comes with a lot of extra boxes. Granted, most of it is recyclable, but another option would be to bring my own containers and fill them at the bulk bins of the grocery store. I have not made any changes yet, just thinking about it.
What waste reduction ideas do you use at home?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)