Comments on: Finding the work/family/fun balance and identity as a librarian/parent http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/ A librarian, writer, educator and tech geek reflecting on the profession and the tools we use to serve our patrons Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:26:11 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Katie Elson Anderson http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188272 Katie Elson Anderson Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:17:52 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188272 Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about being a librarian/parent.I am sharing this post with the ACRL- Balancing Books and Babies Discussion Group- which is an informal discussion group during the ALA Conferences for anyone who is a parent or thinking about becoming a parent to talk about these issues. It is wonderful to have the voices and support of others going through the highs and lows of being a librarian parent! ACRL-BBB Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ACRL-Balancing-Books-and-Babies/107847838911?ref=ts and also on ALA Connect. Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts about being a librarian/parent.I am sharing this post with the ACRL- Balancing Books and Babies Discussion Group- which is an informal discussion group during the ALA Conferences for anyone who is a parent or thinking about becoming a parent to talk about these issues. It is wonderful to have the voices and support of others going through the highs and lows of being a librarian parent!
ACRL-BBB Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ACRL-Balancing-Books-and-Babies/107847838911?ref=ts
and also on ALA Connect.

]]> By: Jaime http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188229 Jaime Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:59:34 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188229 Thanks for posting about this. It's always nice to know that there is support for parents in your field. I know that for me, staying home was the best thing for us for a little while, and then going back to work was the best thing for us later. It's important to recognize that what works for one family won't work for another, and that's okay too- so just because one mom prioritizes their career, it's not a bad thing, and if another mom prioritizes making baby food, that's not a bad thing either. Luckily, I have a great network of friends who support each other and never compete for who throws the best birthday party or which kid is dressed the best, so I really can't complain! Thanks for posting about this. It’s always nice to know that there is support for parents in your field. I know that for me, staying home was the best thing for us for a little while, and then going back to work was the best thing for us later. It’s important to recognize that what works for one family won’t work for another, and that’s okay too- so just because one mom prioritizes their career, it’s not a bad thing, and if another mom prioritizes making baby food, that’s not a bad thing either. Luckily, I have a great network of friends who support each other and never compete for who throws the best birthday party or which kid is dressed the best, so I really can’t complain!

]]> By: Buffalo Dave http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188225 Buffalo Dave Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:41:36 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188225 I admire parents who can find that right balance between raising a child properly as well as maintaining some kind of professional life. I don't think that there is any problem with it so long as you realize that you are working for more reasons than just the money. It is about keeping your sanity as an adult and being able to maintain a positive outlook on your future as well as your child's. If mom and dad are happy and in love with each other, then baby Reed will grow up happy and secure also. One day he will also turn out to be a good parent because of the example you set for him. I admire parents who can find that right balance between raising a child properly as well as maintaining some kind of professional life. I don’t think that there is any problem with it so long as you realize that you are working for more reasons than just the money. It is about keeping your sanity as an adult and being able to maintain a positive outlook on your future as well as your child’s. If mom and dad are happy and in love with each other, then baby Reed will grow up happy and secure also. One day he will also turn out to be a good parent because of the example you set for him.

]]> By: Jenica Rogers http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188223 Jenica Rogers Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:20:05 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188223 Meredith, I love your style and grace in saying things we all need to hear. Thank you for never flinching when you have something to say. Meredith, I love your style and grace in saying things we all need to hear. Thank you for never flinching when you have something to say.

]]> By: Sue http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188213 Sue Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:52:30 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188213 Great post. What completely amazed me through pregnancy, then pre-school (not so much now at school) is how women undermine each other. When it comes to having children, working, being the best people we know how to be, women should be (MUST BE) each other's best friends. Work or don't work. Study or don't study. What works best for your family is best for your family. Tune the nay-sayers out! Great post. What completely amazed me through pregnancy, then pre-school (not so much now at school) is how women undermine each other. When it comes to having children, working, being the best people we know how to be, women should be (MUST BE) each other’s best friends. Work or don’t work. Study or don’t study. What works best for your family is best for your family. Tune the nay-sayers out!

]]> By: Lori http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188212 Lori Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:04:41 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188212 Thanks for the terrific post! I don't yet have children, but I have worried about these issues and find your personal experiences reassuring. I would also add a book recommendation for anyone concerned about the effect her childrearing practices will have on her children: The Nurture Assumption by Judith Rich Harris Thanks for the terrific post! I don’t yet have children, but I have worried about these issues and find your personal experiences reassuring. I would also add a book recommendation for anyone concerned about the effect her childrearing practices will have on her children:

The Nurture Assumption by Judith Rich Harris

]]> By: Amanda http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188209 Amanda Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:26:38 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188209 BTW, Reed is absolutely adorable! BTW, Reed is absolutely adorable!

]]> By: Amanda http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188208 Amanda Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:25:42 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188208 I can't tell you how much I appreciated this post. As a new librarian and mom to a 21 month old, reading your post was like a breath of fresh air. I don't know what it's like at most academic libraries, but I do know that mine has very few parents, and even fewer are parents of young children. I think this contributes to a feeling that talking about family is unprofessional and makes you seem less serious about your job. It can make you feel very isolated and, frankly, schizophrenic, to battle the guilt of not being home with your child and performing well at your job, working towards tenure, etc... So, thank you, thank you, thank you for making all of us librarian/parents feel a little less alone. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated this post. As a new librarian and mom to a 21 month old, reading your post was like a breath of fresh air. I don’t know what it’s like at most academic libraries, but I do know that mine has very few parents, and even fewer are parents of young children. I think this contributes to a feeling that talking about family is unprofessional and makes you seem less serious about your job. It can make you feel very isolated and, frankly, schizophrenic, to battle the guilt of not being home with your child and performing well at your job, working towards tenure, etc… So, thank you, thank you, thank you for making all of us librarian/parents feel a little less alone.

]]> By: Meredith Farkas http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188207 Meredith Farkas Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:56:43 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188207 Hi Allison! I personally can't imagine having my son with me at work. He has always required a tremendous amount of attention and holding, especially when he was really little. I'd never get anything done other than during his naps. Even if he didn't require so much attention, I can't imagine I'd be able to focus very well on my work with my son around. But perhaps for different children and different workplaces it could work. Hi Allison! I personally can’t imagine having my son with me at work. He has always required a tremendous amount of attention and holding, especially when he was really little. I’d never get anything done other than during his naps. Even if he didn’t require so much attention, I can’t imagine I’d be able to focus very well on my work with my son around. But perhaps for different children and different workplaces it could work.

]]> By: kate http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2010/02/22/finding-the-workfamilyfun-balance-and-identity-as-a-librarianparent/comment-page-1/#comment-188205 kate Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:05:39 +0000 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/?p=1497#comment-188205 thank you. thank you.

]]>