Name: Michelle Howard
Occupation: Executive Assistant
Describe Your Occupation: I work at a large credit card company in New York City as an assistant to two Vice Presidents. I also support their respective teams doing administrative tasks. I schedule meetings, process expenses, order supplies and other duties.
Tell us about yourself: I am married with 3 children and I live in Westchester, NY. Well, one is 21 years old and out there on his own. The other two are a boy, 8 and girl 14. My youngest, Christopher is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy so I have to have alternative care for him when I am not at home.
In my spare time I enjoy writing, reading, attending church services with my family, and going to the movies. During the warmer months, I enjoy barbecuing and going to picnics, amusement parks and other outdoor events. In the winter, I’m a real home body!
Tell us what a typical day is like for you: My life is pretty routine actually. I get up at 5:30/6am to pray, get dressed and commute to work for 90 mins to 2 hours (depends on the subway). I work anywhere from 9:30am to 5/7 pm and then commute 2 hours back home. When I get home my son has already been fed and bathed by his home aid so I just spend a few moments playing with him (He won’t go to sleep most of the time until I’m home). I grab a little food, jump on the computer to work on my home business venture and then off to bed at around 10:30/midnight. The next day I get up and do it all over again.
On the weekends is when I get my rest. On Saturdays throughout the year I attend church services and also take my son to music therapy at Heartsong, a music and art therapy program for children with disabilities. In the spring, I take my son to play baseball with the Miracle League of Westchester, a special needs baseball team. In the summer, my typical day is more restful on the weekends. Other than attending church I get to chill at home.
What are some of your challenges?
My main challenge is finding the balance between working and spending time with my family. I’m working hard to accomplish more so I don’t have to work so hard one day but then I fell like I’m missing out in the process.
How do find balance in your life?
I’m still looking for it! One thing I’ve done is made it a point to do little to no work on Sundays so I can at least get a break and spend time with my family.
Also, I work for a very work/home life balance focused company. I get to work from home at times so that helps when I have doctor’s appointments I need to get the children to.
What do you do to take time for yourself?
Are you for real? The most time I get to myself is when I’m on the computer late at night and everyone else is asleep. I sometimes catch a movie alone on Tuesdays when it’s free at Clearview Cinemas for Optimum Rewards Members but that is rare.
Do you have any advice for other working moms?
I’m still struggling in the area of finding work/home balance. Fortunately, my day job is flexible with me taking time off. However, if you don’t have that luxury, the one thing I would offer as advice is to make sure you make time for family. There’s nothing like waking up one day to find that your kids are all grown up and you’ve spent little time with them.
Do you have a favorite tool or resource that you use to help stay organized?
My Palm! I have so many appointments for my youngest son that I would lose track if it weren’t for my Palm Pilot.
Where Can We Find You Online?
I have two e-commerce stores, 3 blogs and a host of social networks that I’m on. Here are just a few:
Stress & Alternative Pain Relief Products: http://www.stressreliefbyrv.com
Handcrafted Skin Care Products: http://www.deadseastorebyrv.com
Stress & Alternative Pain Relief Blog: http://www.stressreliefbyrv.blogspot.com
Fresh Radiant Skin Blog: http://deadseastorebyrv.blogspot.com
Work From Home Success Blog: http://10steps2success.blogspot.com
twitter.com/reviyve
http://www.linkedin.com/in/reviyve
Are you a working mom? Do you want to be featured here at Not Just 9 to 5. Please fill out the questionnaire found here. Please also email me at laura AT notjust9to5 DOT com with any images you would like used. Interviews are featured on Thursdays.
Recent Comments