Working Mom Day 6: Corinn

You guys, I’m SO excited to share Corinn’s interview with you today because, not only do she and her husband (of 15 years) own and operate two construction businesses in Northern Michigan, she also teaches full time, they are raising THREE boys, and she’s expecting their fourth baby in March (yay for March due dates)!  I feel like I can learn A LOT from Corinn!! Here are her responses:

1. What is your typical day like?

My husband has to be up and out early to get his guys to their job sites, so I am alone each morning to get myself and boys up, ready, and out the door! I usually get up around 5:15 and get myself all ready, then wake and get the boys ready.  I make sure that all lunches and backpacks are packed the night before, I make breakfasts they can eat on the road (waffle sticks with cinnamon sprinkled on them, toast and bananas, bagels and cream cheese, etc.) and we are out by 7:15.  I often feel like I have run a marathon by then! Ha! We have a 35 minute commute to the littles’ daycare and the school where I teach, so we eat and chat in the car.  I drop the two youngest at their school and then my oldest and I head to school.  I teach first/second grade from 8:00 – 3:15 every day.  I leave by 3:30 and grab my littles and head home.  When we get home, we play outside while it’s nice and relax together before the crazy of the evening starts.  I often try to have dinner going by 5:15 (the crockpot is my favorite thing1), and we are usually eating by 5:45/6.  While cleaning up from dinner, I get the lunches made for the next day and all the bags packed.  We start baths around 7PM, and then its books and bed by 8:)) for all three boys.  I try to be in bed around 9:00 to relax a bit before we turn the lights out! I know some of you reading probably think I am crazy for having everything planned to the exact minute, but in order for our nights to run smoothly, it has to be! (I love that you make the most of your car/travel time with your boys – I know that must be such precious time for them. And, I totally admire your organization at night.  That’s a goal in my life… Maybe one day!)

2. Why do you work?

I work because I love my job. Teaching is a calling, not just a job, and I love making in a difference in my students’ lives everyday. (Me too Momma!) I also work for health insurance. We own two small businesses and the health insurance is not practical for our large family.  Also, this year, my oldest is in kindergarten and having him in the same building is so great! I get to see him and smooch on him (only a matter of time before he doesn’t allow this anymore) all day long. It’s been such a huge blessing. 

3. What’s the best thing about being a working mom? What’s the worst or hardest thing about it?

The best part about being a working mom is the village you create to help raise your babies.  I am a huge believer that it takes a village to raise great kids, and I am so blessed to have an amazing village standing beside us.  Everyone from our parents, to our daycare/preschool teacher, to our oldest’s kindergarten teacher, to my girlfriends – they are all amazing, and we truly couldn’t do what we do without them.  I feel so fortunate that my kids are loved by so many people. (I feel the EXACT same way. What a blessing to raise our kids in a community of people that love them!)

The hardest part about working is simple – being away.  I do wish that I could be home while they are little and out of school, and it’s been so hard to be away during this time.  As we all know, they grow up too fast.  But, I am lucky to have a job where I am home three months in the summer, two weeks at Christmas and spring break, and have every weekend off.  I focus on these things when I am feeling discouraged or overwhelmed and truly savor every minute when I am home with my babies.

4. What items or tips do you recommend to help “make it work”?

The biggest thing for me is organization and staying on top of what I can.  I often get teased for my house being so “put together,” but I know the second I let it go that it will swallow me whole! Sunday nights I make sure that all the laundry is done for the week, meals are prepped the best they can, eggs are hard boiled for breakfasts, lunches are packed, bags are ready, and the house is cleaned and ready to go. I am often up wayyyyyy too late on Sunday nights (as I am typing this it is 11PM), but if I can start the week off right it helps to keep things running smoothly all week. (Just so you know… If I did all that on Sunday nights, I would have to stay up until 4AM. Haha!)

The crockpot is my best friend! (All hail the crockpot!)

Also, giving yourself lots of grace is crucial.  As each baby as entered our family, I have had to redefine my new normal and idea of what “super mom” looks like for me.  Us mommas, working or SAHM, we can’t do it all! No matter how hard we try.  Do what you can, and know that (most) things can always wait until tomorrow, or the next day, or the next. (Amen!)

5. What encouragement, scripture, etc. has been important in your life and might be meaningful to another working mom?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help, like I said above, it takes a village! Find your village and embrace it.  Let them help you raise your sweet babies and know you are doing the very best you can.  You are giving your sweet babies the very best of you, even when you are away during the day (or night). (This is so true. Thanks for saying it… We need to hear it over and over and over again.)

(For more from this busy momma, follow her on Instagram at @corinnmay.) Thanks so much Corinn!

Y’all have a great Monday, and check back here later this afternoon for my first official “pregnancy update” pending a cooperative toddler and a functioning self-timer app. 😉
E