Single Mom at Work
with Karli Larson
The transition from stay-at-home mom to divorced-and-working-full-time mom can be challenging, and sometimes very lonely. Throw in a few cats, an ancient dog and one very brave boyfriend, and life gets downright crazy. Join me as I talk through my thoughts and struggles, my miscalculations and my triumphs. We're in this together, you and I.
When I'm not writing here you can find me over at work on the TisBest Philanthropy blog.
Single Mom Business Tripping: Success, Guilt, and Exhaustion
Categories: Business tripping, Sleepless in the Board Room
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I had arranged my overnight business trip to LA to coincide with my son’s visit with his Dad, so I could meet with clients and host lunch meetings without feeling that lurking, creeping business Mom’s guilt: get back to the child or he will be messed up for life.
I had packed his snacks, his Hot Wheels, his favorite books and rolled his tiny jeans into cinnamon bun curls in his custom luggage. I had wrapped his hand in mine on the ferry to go see his Daddy, explaining that I would see him in just a few days. And oh, look, sweetie, there’s a whale! And Mommy will miss you, and see you in just a little while.
By the time I dropped him off and took the ferry back and staggered in my front door, it was close to midnight. So I glanced balefully at my pyjamas, strewn at the foot of my bed, and did what I always do: sat at my computer to write, to propose, to sell: to squeeze my brain into emails and strategies with the knowledge that my career will provide everything my son needs. When I was done with my inbox, the sun was a dim pink light, slicing through the trees. It was time to get to the airport.
I had some time in LA between client meetings, and I pulled my rental car into a shaded Starbuck’s lot, fighting the urge to recline my seat and close my eyes for a few minutes. Business trips as a single Mom, for me, are a tangled concoction of elation, focus, guilt, fatigue, and pride that I am somehow juggling this, making it happen. And I want to keep getting better at it.
My name is Kristin: dedicated career woman, lover of snowboarding and yoga pants, and fiercely proud single Mama to my almost-three year old son. I am an ad sales executive and social media consultant, conducting my business from home and, often relying on my Mom when I have to be on the road.
I’ve admired Work It Mom for a long time, and am thrilled to be joining the team. I know there are other single Moms out there, struggling with dating, business tripping, and scaling the corporate ladder while immersed in the viciously challenging School of Single Motherhood. I’m excited to be able to share my experiences here, and am looking forward to hearing about yours, too.
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Love it! I’m so excited for you! Congrats on the new gig!!
Miz | May 23rd, 2008 at 10:52 am
Fantastic new chapter in your writing journey Kristen, congratulations! I loved the first post and the description/mission statement at the top is beautifully honest. Can’t wait to read more.
erin | May 23rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
Kristin, if I could insert a jumping up and down emoticon here, I would — because I am jumping up and down with excitement of having you as part of our WIM family.
And this quote:
“..get back to the child or he will be messed up for life.”
with “she” instead of “he” is one I fight in my head all.the.time. I know it’s cliche, but it’s magically healing to know that I am not alone.
Nataly | May 23rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
Thanks for saying hi, Miz and Erin - and Nataly, thanks for the opportunity to write for such a brilliant, sincere site. I’m really proud to be a part of this team.
singlemomatwork | May 23rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
congratulations on the new writing gig, i do hope it’s much nicer than PD!
honeybecke | May 23rd, 2008 at 11:24 am
Boy, can I relate to the Mommy guilt! I THINK I agonize over this kind of thing far more than my (working, single) mother ever did… when are they ever going to get this cloning stuff perfected so I can be in two places at once?
Monica C. | May 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
Congrats!
Leah | May 23rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Congrats, Kristin. This site seems like a perfect match for you.
Kari | May 23rd, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hey, I’m glad you are here!
Erika | May 23rd, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Way to go Kristin! Can’t wait to read all of your great work. WIM is lucky to have you!
megan | May 23rd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Welcome aboard, Kristin! Glad to have you here!
Lylah | May 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Great article. Love the new digs!
Elizabeth | May 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
As someone who has seen this woman as a Mama AND on her business trips, I have to say, she is full on for real kick ass.
Congrats on the new gig, lady!
Tamara | May 23rd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Congrats, Kristin! You will be perfect over here!
Angella | May 23rd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Thanks again for the warm welcome! I feel really good about being here.
singlemomatwork | May 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
As a working mom myself I can’t wait to continue reading your posts over here. Congrats on the new gig!
JAB | May 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Oh, so you’re a night owl too? The other night I worked until 4:30 AM, and got up for a day with both kids at home two hours later. Ouch.
Painful sometimes, and damn, I miss the nice shoes and the sushi lunches (I’m envious at your travelling, even though it must be a slog) …but to be free of the office watercooler forever? GLORIOUS.
Congrats kristin!
sweetsalty kate | May 23rd, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Kristin, I’m one of the single mamas writing here, too!
I am SO thrilled to see you here! I love this post — I really get it. Can’t wait to read more!
Rachel
Single Mom Seeking | May 23rd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Great description of what life is like. I too am a single working mother. I am a bank manager and my boys are 11 and almost 13. Gah! I am going to be the mother of a teenager! Anyway- it’s a rotten balance that has to be attained because there is always something nagging at you.. I should be home.. I should be working.. and lets not even mention dating with kids.
Best of luck to you- I am anxious to read your thoughts here!
Niki P. | May 24th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Yeah! You’re back!
Congratulations and yeah for your readers!!! We missed you and are HAPPY to follow you!
I am not even a mom yet!!
Starfruit | May 24th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Hi Kristin! Looking so forward to reading you here!
Jessica | May 24th, 2008 at 9:57 am
I love this site and yours so I’m glad you’re here now!
Sharon | May 25th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Congrats Kristin! Been enjoying “Better Now” for some time. Looking forward to this blog too. As a single mother (no shared weekends etc) of a 9 year old boy and a self-employed attorney living in Trinidad I understand the guilt. Not sure if going for a run on my own actually makes me feel better by clearing my head, or worse cause of the guilt of leaving him for my own selfish needs.
Good luck. Will definitely be back.
tash | May 26th, 2008 at 7:53 am
So glad to be able to read you in another place Kristin! I’m not yet a mom, but in my dreams I am. Congratulations to you for this awesome gig!
diane | May 27th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Hey Kristin! Congrats, I can’t wait for more…
emily | May 28th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Sparkling first post, Kristin! Marking this blog as a new fave right.. *now*
Miriam | May 28th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Hey girl, just procrastinating on a PPT pres at 11:30 pm by reading this. I so get it. I know I have a partner and all, but sometimes I feel like my professional drive is going to screw the whole thing up.
Congrats on the job. You will rock it!
Nadine/Scarb | June 1st, 2008 at 10:26 pm
So glad to have found you hear. Always loved your writing style.
Marcie | June 3rd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Congrats! Great article…
MommyMoments | June 12th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
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