May
15
Myanmar and China
Please learn more about what is going on.
There are so many that are suffering.
Please consider financially supporting those who are already there helping. Even a little helps.
May
14
My Story
Back a million years ago, I was pregnant with my first child. I had already left my job at BIG company because (a) I knew I could not balance family life with my job and the associated traveling and (b) I wanted to write. But now I was writing for a small community newspaper and also doing the copy editing for the newspaper (who would have thunk it). I spent a good deal of time trying to determine if I could keep doing the part-time job and have a new baby. The answer was soon provided for me: an unpredictable boss who I could frequently hear arguing with people on the phone regarding bills (that I’m sure he owed). I left. I still was owed payment for some articles. I was about nine months pregnant when the editor called me up and yelled at me for at least ten minutes about why he didn’t owe me the money. I stood my ground. But, after I hung up the phone, I was shaking - 1/2 from my anger and 1/2 from my pregnancy hormones. I got the money.
This Book
This book is for all of the woman who continue to work after they are pregnant. It takes over for the other books that devote a chapter to the subject of working while you are pregnant or what you need to know after you have the baby. Written by Dr. Marjorie Greenfield who is a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist and a working mom.
Did you know 60 to 80 percent of women hold jobs while they are pregnant?
“Pregnancy may temporarily compromise your performance at work and it will certainly complicate your life, but for most of us who have ventured down the path to parenthood, the experience has made life immeasurably richer and more meaningful.” (Part 1, Strategic Planning (Before Conception))
The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book is not only a guide to pregnancy while working, but it also addresses making the decision to even begin the journey - Page 4: QUIZ: Do you Want to Have a Baby?
“In many jobs, there is no good time to have children. You will need to decide what is right for you personally and professionally.”
Throughout the book Dr. Greenfield includes real-life insight from women who have worked through and after their pregnancies. What an awesome idea! This provides the camaraderie some women might not have in their jobs and the answers they are seeking from women in their same position.
The book goes on to talk about not only work related issues, but the general questions that any pregnant woman wants answered while pregnant and the decisions they have to make (for example, choosing a Doctor or Midwife). And there are excellent suggestions for breastfeeding and working in Chapter 38.
On the Net
Yesterday, I opened The Wall Street Journal and (great timing) there was a piece (BEST OF THE JUGGLE) on deciphering maternity policies. And there it was, The Working Woman’s Pregnancy Book and Dr. Greenfield, addressing the issue of maternity benefits.
Check out this must read blog post and comments from WSJ.
Of course, you can order a copy of your own on Amazon. Link is here.
It’s a must have resource for any woman considering having children and continuing to work outside the home. And checkout the other reviews on MotherTalk to learn a little more on this book for pregnant working moms.
May
14
The nurse puts her hands on my stomach and starts shaking. I wonder if it is possible to give a fetus shaken baby syndrome. She pushes the sonogram thingy further down into my stomach. Ouch!
“I can’t see its spine.”
Shake, shake, shake.
I assume she knows what she is doing.
“Maybe I can just roll on my side. Maybe…”
Shake. Shake. Shake.
“Hmmm….”
“See anything?”
“Nope.”
Shake. Shake. Shake.
“Guess we’re not going to get a good picture of the spine.”
“Guess not.”
********
FYI: We did get a good shot of one thing…it’s a girl!
May
03
Check out my essay over at Mothering Heights for the 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Online Anthology (that was a mouthful)! Please leave a comment on the essay and let me know what you think.
Be sure to check out the other online essays
and
the book Manual for Motherhood, Volume 1, Book Authors which contains the winners of this year’s Mothering Heights Mother’s Day Contest.
Apr
28
I didn’t want to go. I knew it would happen.
Last Saturday, I packed my diaper bag with binders and a notebook instead of the usual wipes and pull-ups. I drove one hour to expand my writing horizon. And I left feeling…well, cheap.
I’ve said it once, but it’s worth saying again…I AM NOT A LITERARY WRITER. I cannot write literary stuff. It is impossible. I hate reading it. So, therefore, I hate even attempting to write it. Does this make me a lesser writer? Well, I guess it does.
(As a note - this also applies to grammar and spelling which, according to my junior year high school English teacher, I am also terrible at - thank you Mrs. Spiro for boosting the confidence of a budding writer!)
I’ve been to probably about ten writers’ conferences. Four of which were big deal ones - the type that are crowded, powerful, make you want to write… I took a small class taught by Jennifer Cruise (she was great and real!) and by Donald Maas (tells it to you straight). But, in this conference, I got to sit next to people who are obviously smarter than me. Yes, much smarter. Much more well read. Much more la-de-da-da (that’s a technical term). And they were dying to prove it.
(Exception was two very nice women who I hope read this - they grimaced with me as every writer who does not write literary fiction or thick, heady non-fiction was dismissed with a shrug).
Any discussion of mainstream or commercial fiction was dismissed by the instructor as “well, I don’t read that stuff”. And, the mere thought that creative non-fiction might have some composite characters or “fudging” was unthinkable to another. Um - did they miss that “creative” word? (Thanks James Frey for screwing all of us!)
And my favorite quotes:
“Don’t write for the market.” - Literary journal editor
“Just be patient. Write. We’ll get back to you eventually.” - Another literary journal editor who was explaining their need to hold onto your submission (exclusively) for 4 -6 months.
“My girlfriend was reading her. I don’t know her, how do you say her name?” - Instructor for fiction writing class in answer to a question about Jodie Picoult.
“No one takes electronic submissions. We don’t want to read off of the computer screen.” - Editor requesting that submissions be sent through the mail. Something I have not done in over two years.
The topper was when I saw a person sitting next to me angrily scrawling my name down in his notebook (most likely to Google later - Hi Mr. Conference Guy who didn’t like my stance on creative non-fiction!).
Or maybe the best part was when I suggested to a woman that she work through her non-fiction book by writing smaller pieces, maybe for a book like Chicken Soup for the Soul or Cup of Comfort:
“I would never write for one of those publications.”
It might be awhile before I go to another writers’ conference.
Apr
23
LaChance Publishing (Submission Opportunity)
(From their web site)
We are seeking stories of your personal experience, or that of family members, friends care givers or spouses. “Voices Of” books feature true stories of literary merit and real emotional impact, stories that give insight, provide inspiration, courage and comfort to those in need. We also seek stories which might show a lighter side of the challenge.
Special Topics
Dogs
We are seeking TRUE stories of literary merit of how a dog has transformed your life, or the life of someone close to you. Submission Deadline: August 3, 2008
Voices from Iraq
The front line soldier, the hospital staff, the returning veteran, the family and loved ones of those serving overseas, the citizens of Iraq… they all have stories to tell about how the Iraq war experience has transformed their lives. Submission Deadline: September 1, 2008
Voices of Depression
Voices of Depression will shine a light on the experience that affects so many by collecting true stories of literary merit by individuals who have been touched by this disorder. Submission Deadline: September 1, 2008
Back From Zero (Financial Disaster)
Back From Zero will be packed with TRUE, inspiring accounts by real people who have experienced financial disaster, and have won their way back to financial security. Submission Deadline: TBD
Apr
22
I’ve decided to start a club.
I think there are already millions of potential members.
It’s the Zombie Mommy Club. AKA the 2 a.m. club. The “I never actually sleep more than 4 consecutive hours club”. The “I don’t remember the last time I felt well rested club”. The “I cannot believe I get up at 5:20 in the morning club”.
I know I went wrong somewhere. I think it was back in the infancy stage. And I am promising myself that I will not screw it up again. Because, somehow, I have trained my children to wake up every single night. My oldest always gets up around 2 a.m. to tell me he’s had a bad dream which is compounded by the fact that his bedroom is upstairs (and away from us). My youngest wakes up (insert insane number here) times during the evening. To (a) cry (b) cry (c) talk then cry.
My pregnant body cannot take it any longer.
I am certain I could whip out my entire work in progress novel in 2 weeks if I actually get sleep at night. I could probably even complete a full sentence, keep my eyes more than halfway open…gosh - the possibilities are endless.
Maybe sleep deprivation led me to picking this funky new blog design 
Oh, no, I feel my eyelids starting to drop.
I’ve told my boys that when I’m old and I really do wake up at 5 in the morning that I’m going to call them at their home and wake them up every morning for each day they woke me up as kids. Somehow this threat did little to create any change in the current sleep status.
Apr
22
TravelingMamas.com is in search of true uplifting, funny, inspirational, and touching stories with a travel theme for an upcoming anthology series. Possible themes may include family travel, romantic escapes, girlfriend getaways, and solo trips.
Deadline is midnight September 1, 2008.
Compensation:
-
$50 (Payment upon publication)
-
A Traveling Mamas travel pack that includes one copy of the book your story appears in.
Apr
15
My son is an aspiring writer/artist/poet. He wrote and submitted his first book this year. He loves to draw and creates magical pictures. And, at school, he’s been working hard on his poetry. Tonight, his homework assignment was to create a card and give it to someone special. He picked his teacher as the recipient. And, as he started to think out the lines he would put inside, I heard…
The grass is green,
The sky is blue,
Trees are brown,
And so are you…
We opted for the second draft:
You are a great teacher!
Apr
10
Here is a list of submission opportunities I’ve looked into this week. That’s about all I can do today - nap time is still nonexistent and (somehow) the movie night I’m hosting for my son’s school has grown from 100 to over 200 people! Ack! Wish me luck tomorrow night!
Kate Harper Designs - Greeting Card Quotes - $
WOW! - Upcoming Themes for Women On Writing On-Line Magazine - $
Angels on Earth - A Guidepost’s Publication - $$
Are you a pregnant mommy blogger looking to do book reviews? Let me know. Mothertalk is looking to fill some slots (asap) for more good bloggers to review a book about working and pregnancy.
