1 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 1: Hi. 2 00:00:10,039 --> 00:00:13,920 Speaker 2: I'm Laura Vanderkamp. I'm a mother of five, an author, journalist, 3 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:14,520 Speaker 2: and speaker. 4 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:18,640 Speaker 3: And I'm Sarah hart Hunger, a mother of three, practicing physician, 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,200 Speaker 3: writer and course creator. We are two working parents who 6 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,080 Speaker 3: love our careers and our families. 7 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:27,400 Speaker 2: Welcome to best of both worlds. Here we talk about 8 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 2: how real women manage work, family, and time for fun, 9 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 2: from figuring out childcare to mapping out long term career goals. 10 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 2: We want you to get the most out of life. 11 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: Welcome the best of both worlds. This is Laura. 12 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 2: This episode is airing at the very end of April 13 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:49,519 Speaker 2: of twenty twenty four. We are going to be talking 14 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 2: how we can rock that month that we now call 15 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 2: May Somber or maybe Mayhem. There's lots of ways people 16 00:00:57,520 --> 00:00:59,840 Speaker 2: are referring to this. We'll figure out what Sarah puts 17 00:00:59,840 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 2: in the actual show notes as the title. 18 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:02,640 Speaker 1: Of this episode. 19 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,880 Speaker 2: But the reason we are doing this is because May 20 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 2: can be an incredibly full time of year for people 21 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:14,679 Speaker 2: with school aged kids. Right so, there are recitals, performances, 22 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:19,160 Speaker 2: end of your concerts, awards, ceremonies, various the end of 23 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 2: school year events for your kids and for those of 24 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:24,720 Speaker 2: us up north lots of community stuff too that happens 25 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 2: in kind of that season in May to the beginning 26 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,320 Speaker 2: of June where it's finally warm enough to do things outdoors, 27 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:33,520 Speaker 2: but before everyone disappears for the summer, So lots of 28 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 2: things associated with that. But unlike December, at work, you 29 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:40,960 Speaker 2: are not gearing up for everyone to be off at 30 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 2: a certain point, so a lot of big work stuff 31 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 2: just keeps rolling. So we wanted to share some ideas 32 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 2: and some thoughts on how to make May a little 33 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:54,960 Speaker 2: bit more orderly. Because you know, complexity is not the enemy. 34 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 2: Many of us have very complex lives and that's fine. 35 00:01:58,040 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 2: You just have to manage all the moving parts. Chaos 36 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 2: is the enemy, and that we can ward off. In 37 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 2: this episode, we're gonna be talking about kind of a 38 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 2: three part process for warding off the chaos, making sure 39 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:13,639 Speaker 2: practically that we don't get overwhelmed, finding the right balance 40 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,480 Speaker 2: between work and the rest of life or life in 41 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,280 Speaker 2: life as the case may be, and finally managing our 42 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 2: energy so that the month feels sustainable. So just a 43 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 2: quick side note, May is a big month in the 44 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:30,880 Speaker 2: Unger household. I guess with birthdays anniversaries, right, what was 45 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:33,920 Speaker 2: your most memorable birthday Sarah may baby here. 46 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 3: I feel like the ones that were memorable were not 47 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 3: necessarily the most fun. Is it weird that I immediately 48 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 3: was like COVID and being mad in twenty twenty that 49 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 3: I didn't get to celebrate my fortieth birthday, Like what's 50 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 3: wrong with me? That that's what I thought of? But 51 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 3: I also had a particularly lovely birthday pre kids in 52 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 3: two thousand and nine where I recall champagne tasting and 53 00:02:57,720 --> 00:02:59,639 Speaker 3: I consulted my blog and the memory was correct, or 54 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 3: maybe my memory was because I had seen that post 55 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 3: on my blog. I don't know, but looked awesome and 56 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 3: maybe I can do that for my fiftieth or. 57 00:03:06,120 --> 00:03:09,320 Speaker 1: Something like that sounds awesome. Yeah. 58 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:12,080 Speaker 3: This year, though, I just I'm like a little sad 59 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 3: because I am someone who tries not to work on 60 00:03:14,760 --> 00:03:17,400 Speaker 3: my birthday and I recognize that like that can be 61 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 3: seen as a little extra as an adult, but that 62 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 3: at the same time, birthdays are limited, like we only 63 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:26,519 Speaker 3: given number of them, and I try to celebrate that day. 64 00:03:26,560 --> 00:03:29,359 Speaker 3: But I'm running solow on vacation time that this year 65 00:03:29,400 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 3: I'm going to celebrate my birthday observed on the nineteenth 66 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 3: or twenty first, so that I can still have a 67 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,880 Speaker 3: day for me but not use up precious paid time off. 68 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you guys got married in May as well, 69 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:44,080 Speaker 2: if I recall correctly. 70 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 3: Yes, that was not because we like romantic blooms or 71 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 3: the spring fever or anything like that. That is because 72 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:55,960 Speaker 3: it was between medical school finishing and residencies starting, and 73 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 3: we wanted to pick a time when we wouldn't be 74 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:00,080 Speaker 3: stressed by either of those things. Now, I was not 75 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:03,240 Speaker 3: actually done with medical school. I had another year left, 76 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 3: so we did get married as doctor and missus before 77 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:09,119 Speaker 3: becoming doctor and doctor a year later. But it worked 78 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 3: out beautiful timing wise, because I think we had a 79 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 3: few weeks off between those two things and no like 80 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 3: open loops. You know, it was like no projects were 81 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 3: due or anything because Josh was starting something fresh and 82 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 3: we got to go to Hawaii for like fourteen days 83 00:04:23,440 --> 00:04:25,360 Speaker 3: or something like that. It was amazing. It was great. 84 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 2: Timing sounds awesome. Well, and how about May Somber this year? 85 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 2: Like anything big on the calendar for you guys this month? 86 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:35,240 Speaker 3: I mean May again May, It's just always like a 87 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:38,040 Speaker 3: lot and I have to manage my expectations around May 88 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:40,920 Speaker 3: as We'll talk about because I go into it thinking like, oh, 89 00:04:40,960 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 3: it's so magical. There's Mother's Day, there's my birthday, there's 90 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 3: our anniversary, there's a Memorial Day. Oh my gosh, and 91 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:49,479 Speaker 3: it's like it just turns into being so still work and. 92 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 2: Take care of your kids and everything else. Yes, yes, 93 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:54,440 Speaker 2: so they shwasher or whatever. Yeah. 94 00:04:54,480 --> 00:04:55,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, it just keeps going. 95 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:59,320 Speaker 3: But my focal point for May of twenty twenty four 96 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 3: is hopeful going to be the Bayshore Marathon, which Josh 97 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 3: and I are both running. We're going away for our 98 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 3: anniversary weekend, spending it in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, 99 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 3: where this marathon takes place. I know a marathon at 100 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 3: the end of May doesn't sound great from a weather perspective, 101 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:18,120 Speaker 3: but historically many years this actually does have lovely weather. 102 00:05:18,160 --> 00:05:20,240 Speaker 3: I guess it's far enough north that they can have 103 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 3: forties and fifties in the morning. So hopefully this will 104 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:26,080 Speaker 3: be a nice, cool year, and I will definitely let 105 00:05:26,120 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 3: you all know how it goes. I'm hoping to Boston qualify, 106 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:32,280 Speaker 3: but I may not, and either way, I'm going to 107 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 3: give it the best I can and I'll let you 108 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 3: know what happens. 109 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, even in this part of the world, it's the 110 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 2: weather is completely unpredictable. I mean, it's mostly nice, but 111 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 2: it can be varied from day to day. And I 112 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:49,720 Speaker 2: remember I sort of soured on the idea of even 113 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,760 Speaker 2: doing races that happen on specific days because it was 114 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 2: an early June half marathon, and the day after the 115 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:01,240 Speaker 2: half marathon it was sixty tow at seven am, and 116 00:06:01,240 --> 00:06:04,039 Speaker 2: that was lovely. I would have happily run thirteen miles 117 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 2: in that, but the particular day that this half marathon happened, 118 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 2: it was like eighty four degrees by eight am, and 119 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 2: it was ludicrous, like, it felt terrible. I was swimming 120 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 2: in the air trying to get to the finish line. 121 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 2: So I was like, well, you know, if I want 122 00:06:21,880 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 2: to run thirteen miles, I could just run thirteen miles 123 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 2: on a day where the weather cooperates, as opposed to 124 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 2: timing it for this certain day that they happened to 125 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 2: have booked the streets for the races. So anyway, that 126 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:35,919 Speaker 2: was a digression. We have a couple of cool things 127 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:39,159 Speaker 2: going on. Jasper and I are singing in Brahms Requiem, 128 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 2: although that is late April and will probably have happened 129 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 2: by the time this episode airs, it should have. I 130 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 2: think it's the weekend before this. We have Sam's eighth 131 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 2: grade graduation stuff coming up in May, which I was 132 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,240 Speaker 2: trying to remember back like what did we do for Jasper? 133 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 2: But that was twenty twenty one and we had just 134 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 2: gotten through hybrid school, like they had just come back 135 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 2: to full time school, and I don't think they had 136 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:02,839 Speaker 2: something that everyone was there for at the same time. 137 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:06,359 Speaker 2: So yeah, that was kind of a things they didn't do. 138 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:08,680 Speaker 2: And then Ruth and I are going to be taking 139 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 2: a trip to ye There're some were cool, so looking 140 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 2: forward to that. So it'll be a lot of stuff 141 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:18,080 Speaker 2: on top of the usual thing. But we're just kind 142 00:07:18,120 --> 00:07:20,720 Speaker 2: of talking about, like, how do you know that you 143 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 2: have busy times of year coming up? And I think 144 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,080 Speaker 2: we have both noticed this. It happens in December, of 145 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 2: course that I know what the dates of the December 146 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:34,560 Speaker 2: weekends are usually in October, but you definitely by the 147 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 2: beginning of November, I know what those weekend dates are, 148 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 2: and it is the same thing. 149 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:41,280 Speaker 1: In May. 150 00:07:41,480 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 2: I knew what all the late April into May weekend 151 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 2: dates were. Probably in February January February this year. I 152 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:53,200 Speaker 2: was like, oh my goodness, this is going to be 153 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 2: quite a stretch of time because you've looked at your 154 00:07:56,560 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 2: calendar for those dates, because there are things you're already 155 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 2: putting on there, and so you keep looking at what 156 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:04,680 Speaker 2: the dates are and get a sense of what the 157 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 2: landscape of that month happens to be. And there are 158 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 2: lots of times a year where I don't have that, 159 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 2: you know, it's like you just figure out the weekends. 160 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:14,120 Speaker 2: A couple of weekends ahead of time, I don't. 161 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,040 Speaker 3: Know, and they are events momentous enough to be planned 162 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:19,280 Speaker 3: out that far in advance. I think that's the big thing. Like, 163 00:08:19,320 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 3: these are big things. It's the end of your show, 164 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:24,560 Speaker 3: it's the recital, Like it's not just something like that, 165 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 3: just you know, a birthday party that came up. It's 166 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:29,320 Speaker 3: like these bigger things. So that's how you know it's 167 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 3: going to be gonna be a wild ride, going to. 168 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: Be a wild ride. But the upside is it's kind 169 00:08:34,400 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 1: of a fun wild ride. 170 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 2: I mean, you know, in many cases, one would assume 171 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,840 Speaker 2: that the reason you have all this stuff going on 172 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 2: is because you are have a full calendar at work, right, Like, 173 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:49,160 Speaker 2: you know, people want you to do things. Your kids 174 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:51,680 Speaker 2: are involved and lots of fun stuff as they're figuring 175 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 2: out their lives, and you have celebrations and you're involved 176 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 2: in your community. These are all wins. So I think 177 00:08:59,920 --> 00:09:04,960 Speaker 2: it's also helpful to approach Macember Mayhem with a yay 178 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:09,640 Speaker 2: mindset as much as a oh my goodness, buckle in 179 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 2: here we go. So first step, don't get overwhelmed. Take 180 00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 2: some time and make sure that you have everything on 181 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 2: your calendar, like be systematic, go through those emails from 182 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 2: school for each of your kids, go through the calendars 183 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 2: or emails from any sports or activities that they are doing, 184 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:38,200 Speaker 2: or for any community organizations you are part of. Like 185 00:09:38,240 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 2: if you are part of a house of worship that 186 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:42,360 Speaker 2: tends to have a lot of sort of end of 187 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:44,720 Speaker 2: year or seasonal things that are going on at that 188 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 2: time of year, you want to make sure those are 189 00:09:46,200 --> 00:09:50,000 Speaker 2: on your calendar as well. Work. Obviously you probably have 190 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:52,320 Speaker 2: some stuff there, but if you know there are big 191 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 2: deadlines in early June, and it might behoove you to 192 00:09:55,640 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 2: start thinking about that a little earlier, given that time 193 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:01,800 Speaker 2: outside of work might feel a little bit more compressed. 194 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:04,720 Speaker 2: But make sure it's all recorded in your one source 195 00:10:04,720 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 2: of truth, calendar, because you are better off actively choosing 196 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,880 Speaker 2: to not do something that is on there versus forgetting 197 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 2: it even existed, right, Sarah. 198 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:17,559 Speaker 3: Yes, absolutely, and I would say going even granular as 199 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:20,960 Speaker 3: you possibly can, possibly more than is offered at times. 200 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:23,120 Speaker 3: So a lot of times school will throw out like 201 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 3: save the dates, but I'm like, well, also, what time 202 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:29,280 Speaker 3: is that specific event? I actually just got one for 203 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 3: Genevieve's kindergarten graduation. Now this actually was June, but it 204 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 3: was like, it's June fifth. I'm like, Okay, that's great, 205 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:36,319 Speaker 3: but i have a full day of patience and I'd 206 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 3: rather not cancel the entire day If the event is 207 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:42,000 Speaker 3: at five pm, I have no idea, So ask for 208 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:45,560 Speaker 3: specifics if they're not volunteered, because you're gonna want to 209 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 3: understand how all of those pieces fit. We did talk 210 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:52,560 Speaker 3: about calendaring very recently in an episode. But everything I 211 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:54,680 Speaker 3: get goes into my hope in ECHI. That is my 212 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 3: source of truth, and I have not committed to anything 213 00:10:57,760 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 3: if it's not in there, If that makes sense, Like 214 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 3: anytime I'm confirming something, it gets written in there. So 215 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:06,760 Speaker 3: I always have a clear understanding of exactly how crowded 216 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,040 Speaker 3: things are, so that I can then start to say 217 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 3: no or start to cancel things if it really just 218 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 3: gets too overwhelming. 219 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, and generally, weekly planning works pretty well, I mean 220 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:21,800 Speaker 2: for the vast majority of life. I mean, I've talked 221 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:23,839 Speaker 2: a lot about planning on Thursday or Friday for the 222 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:28,760 Speaker 2: upcoming week, and this will, for the most part, give 223 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 2: you a good sense of what is truly happening. Like 224 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:33,040 Speaker 2: you can see the landscape for the next week, and 225 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 2: you can figure out your priorities for the week based 226 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:39,040 Speaker 2: on larger goals. Sure, but having a good mindset of 227 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:42,079 Speaker 2: the upcoming week tends to be enough most. 228 00:11:41,840 --> 00:11:42,319 Speaker 1: Of the time. 229 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:45,960 Speaker 2: But when you get into these really sort of thicker 230 00:11:46,120 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 2: times of years in terms of the stuff that is 231 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 2: on your calendar, it might behoove you to look ahead 232 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 2: an extra week or two. So when you were doing 233 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 2: your Thursday or Friday planning, look at the upcoming week, 234 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 2: for sure, but then flip forward or scroll forward and 235 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 2: your electronic calendar and look at the next two weeks. 236 00:12:04,679 --> 00:12:06,720 Speaker 2: Definitely the week in front of the week you're looking at, 237 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:08,760 Speaker 2: and maybe even the week after that, because if there 238 00:12:08,840 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 2: is something big coming up that you're going to want 239 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:13,680 Speaker 2: to think about more than a week ahead of time. 240 00:12:14,320 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 2: You probably want to get some of that on your 241 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 2: calendar earlier. So as an example, if you have teenagers 242 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 2: that you're going to be helping with prom shopping, okay, 243 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 2: like you may not want to be doing that on 244 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:29,200 Speaker 2: Wednesday for Saturday. There's many things that could go wrong 245 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:32,760 Speaker 2: in that scenario where you're shopping for address on Wednesday 246 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:35,080 Speaker 2: for Saturday or trying to find the tech at the 247 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:37,520 Speaker 2: rental place on Wednesday for Saturday. So you know, you 248 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:40,560 Speaker 2: might want to pull that forward another week or two 249 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 2: and make sure it's on there. Or you know, if 250 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:48,200 Speaker 2: you've got a big work conference toward mid May, probably 251 00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 2: you want to know that and really have that in 252 00:12:50,520 --> 00:12:53,360 Speaker 2: your mental model a week or more than a week 253 00:12:53,400 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 2: ahead of time so that you can reach out to people, 254 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:58,440 Speaker 2: make sure you have prepared to make the most of 255 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 2: this time if you are choosing to be there during 256 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 2: this this very busy season. 257 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 3: Yeah. For me, it's also like the special edition of 258 00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 3: that is paying really close attention to where those call 259 00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 3: weeks are because I know they mess up not just 260 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:14,240 Speaker 3: that week but often the week after. And fun fact, 261 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:16,440 Speaker 3: I do have one in May, but it is like 262 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:18,600 Speaker 3: the special kind where I get overnight coverage, so it's 263 00:13:18,640 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 3: not quite as bad as the usual awesome. Yeah, that 264 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 3: looking ahead is key. 265 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 1: Yeah. 266 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 2: Well, we're going to take a quick ad break and 267 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 2: then we'll be back with more on figuring out the 268 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 2: right balance during this month. So we are back talking 269 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 2: all things Maycember, Mayhem. How are we going to rock 270 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,840 Speaker 2: this month even though it is a very very busy 271 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 2: time for a great many of our listeners. So yeah, Sarah, 272 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:56,520 Speaker 2: I mean, when you have something like call week and 273 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 2: you know that you're on and you have big stuff 274 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:01,679 Speaker 2: during it, what's your approach for something like that? 275 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:06,680 Speaker 3: Really more looking what I can get done beforehand, like 276 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 3: to make sure I'm not going to be recording episodes 277 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 3: like during call, which is very very stressful, and then 278 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 3: also trying to make sure that the week after isn't 279 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 3: too cluttered. This is very much easily more said than done. 280 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:24,200 Speaker 3: Like I try, I really do try. But then every 281 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 3: once in a while, stuff comes up that is fairly urgent, 282 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 3: and since it can't fall on the call week, it's 283 00:14:29,520 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 3: going to fall in those two flexible slots on the 284 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 3: Tuesday and Thursday. But to the extent that I can, 285 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 3: I try to minimize that kind of stuff. And I 286 00:14:37,720 --> 00:14:41,080 Speaker 3: definitely think this is the time to you know, during May, 287 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 3: when we have so many things on top of each other, 288 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 3: this is not the time to have less childcare. This 289 00:14:46,040 --> 00:14:48,000 Speaker 3: is maybe the time to have a conversation about, hey, 290 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 3: summer is going to be a little bit slower, but 291 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:52,120 Speaker 3: this month might actually have to be. I may need 292 00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,360 Speaker 3: like a little bit of extra support just so we 293 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 3: can get through all of this stuff and enjoy it 294 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 3: and not feel necessarily stressed out about all the p 295 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 3: is fitting together. 296 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: Yeah. 297 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 2: I think it's great too, as you're looking forward, spot 298 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:07,640 Speaker 2: conflicts ahead of time so you can make a plan. 299 00:15:07,680 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 2: I mean, because obviously you could call in other relatives 300 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 2: for special events, you can split duties and all this 301 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 2: as much easier if you know about. 302 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: It ahead of time. 303 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 2: We'll put in a plug for if you have older 304 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 2: kids and younger kids, hiring a sitter for the little 305 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 2: one so you're not chasing a little one around a 306 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 2: ceremony that you're hoping to pay attention for for the 307 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 2: big kids, for instance. That's I know it doesn't always work, 308 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 2: but it might be worth building that into your model 309 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 2: so you can enjoy yourself a little bit more, but. 310 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 1: Yeah, side not. 311 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,080 Speaker 2: I mean, you know, we often talk about there it's 312 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 2: the work life conflicts that seem to get the headlines. 313 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 2: But I have found that there's a lot of like 314 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:45,880 Speaker 2: life life conflicts. 315 00:15:45,720 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: Especially in May. 316 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:50,360 Speaker 2: If you have multiple kids, there's things that happen at 317 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:53,200 Speaker 2: the same time for different kids, especially if they're in 318 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:57,400 Speaker 2: different schools. Those tend not to spawn the overwrought think 319 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 2: pieces of like oh I was, you know, miss whatever 320 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 2: the softball banquet because my plane was delayed. It's like, well, 321 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 2: I missed this softball banquet because the other kid had 322 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,280 Speaker 2: the lalante I made at the same time. So you know, 323 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 2: they don't know what do I do with that? Can't 324 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:15,000 Speaker 2: get rid of the kids. I guess we just accept 325 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:19,160 Speaker 2: that life doesn't always go as we might wish it were. 326 00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 2: But you actually have you have, Sarah, a work life 327 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 2: conflict in May this year that you kind of made 328 00:16:25,320 --> 00:16:25,960 Speaker 2: a decision on. 329 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:30,160 Speaker 3: And no overwrought think piece, because honestly, like this stuff 330 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 3: does conflict, and sometimes we might make one choice and 331 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 3: sometimes we might make another, and having to make those 332 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 3: choices doesn't mean that it's bad that you're working or 333 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 3: something like that. So I guess I'll share that. Like, 334 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 3: my annual endochronology meeting that I usually go to is 335 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:46,520 Speaker 3: being held the first weekend in May, as it usually is, 336 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 3: and I had a kid related thing that this kid 337 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:52,320 Speaker 3: had been talking about and talking about, and I was like, 338 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 3: you know what, I don't really want to miss it. 339 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:57,640 Speaker 3: I mean, it's a once a year thing and there's 340 00:16:57,760 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 3: kind of like a tryout piece of it, and I 341 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 3: just felt like I wanted to be there for that. 342 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 3: And I'm like, you know, this meeting does come every year. 343 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:06,359 Speaker 3: I can go next year, and truthfully, if this event 344 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:08,359 Speaker 3: did happen again next year, it wouldn't be the first time. 345 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:10,840 Speaker 3: And so I think I would choose the work event 346 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:12,600 Speaker 3: next time, and we can. We can make one choice 347 00:17:12,640 --> 00:17:14,800 Speaker 3: sometimes and one choice the next time. And then since 348 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 3: I made that decision, another kid event came up that 349 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 3: same weekend, which I would have been annoyed to miss. 350 00:17:19,040 --> 00:17:21,560 Speaker 3: So now I'm like very much grateful that I kind 351 00:17:21,600 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 3: of just preemptively made this choice. But again, like sometimes 352 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:27,399 Speaker 3: I think, as Laura mentioned, people take this a step 353 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 3: further and say like, oh my gosh, I just can't 354 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:31,880 Speaker 3: do it, and it's like, actually, I can not every 355 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 3: meeting is mandatory, and we can make different decisions different times, 356 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:37,359 Speaker 3: and that's okay. 357 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, But the reason of course to look ahead is 358 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:42,359 Speaker 2: because if there are avoidable conflicts, then obviously, you know, 359 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:44,159 Speaker 2: it'd be better to like, you know, somebody wants to 360 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 2: meet and they're like Wednesday or Thursday, and you're like Wednesday, 361 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:48,480 Speaker 2: and then it turns out that Wednesday was the huge 362 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 2: end of school thing. Probably nobody would have cared if 363 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 2: you'd said Thursday, but now you've said Wednesday, and now 364 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:57,359 Speaker 2: you have to dig yourself out of this or deal 365 00:17:57,400 --> 00:17:59,120 Speaker 2: with it in some way, shape or form. 366 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 1: So, yeah, or their ahead. 367 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:04,439 Speaker 2: You can spot conflicts, the more ways you can come 368 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 2: up with to solve them. One thing I've always appreciated, 369 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:10,840 Speaker 2: I've usually been able to go, but our nursery school, 370 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:13,400 Speaker 2: our preschool used to call it the mother's day Tea 371 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:14,840 Speaker 2: or something like that, and then they began calling it 372 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 2: the Special Person's Tea, And that is so much better 373 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:21,480 Speaker 2: because it's like you send a special person. It could 374 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:26,439 Speaker 2: be Grandpa, it could be your older sibling if they 375 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 2: happen to have a day off school or something. You know, 376 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,680 Speaker 2: it's just there's so many ways that it could be 377 00:18:31,359 --> 00:18:34,320 Speaker 2: differently interpreted when it's a special person's tea, and so 378 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 2: I think that's. 379 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:38,680 Speaker 1: A really cool idea. 380 00:18:38,760 --> 00:18:41,000 Speaker 2: So one question for people to think about is they 381 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:43,600 Speaker 2: are looking at their work life balance or work life 382 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:45,399 Speaker 2: fit or whatever you want refer to it as in 383 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 2: the course of May, is do you actually have enough 384 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:48,880 Speaker 2: time to work? 385 00:18:49,640 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 1: Now? 386 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 2: This may not be the normal way that people think 387 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 2: of work life conflict. It's usually that work needs to 388 00:18:55,600 --> 00:18:57,359 Speaker 2: dial down because we have so much stuff going on. 389 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:01,760 Speaker 2: But we have both had the experience of when you 390 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 2: do have flexible hours and days in your schedule, often 391 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 2: you put the stuff there because you can, and then 392 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:15,359 Speaker 2: your work hours wind up getting quite compressed. I have 393 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:18,040 Speaker 2: certainly had this experience with you know, have kid meetings 394 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:20,200 Speaker 2: during the school day. I may have had physical therapy 395 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:23,119 Speaker 2: going on for months, which hopefully by the time this 396 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:25,640 Speaker 2: air is that is over. But you know that when 397 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 2: there's enough stuff during the work day, you can wind 398 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 2: up with fewer hours to work than you may need 399 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:35,120 Speaker 2: to actually meet your obligations. 400 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:36,199 Speaker 1: So you need to be careful with this. 401 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:39,119 Speaker 2: I know Sarah, you've encountered this reality as you have 402 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,600 Speaker 2: your Tuesday and Thursday entrepreneurial days, I'll be like texting 403 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 2: Sarah and she's like, I'm at the dentist. 404 00:19:45,920 --> 00:19:48,000 Speaker 3: I'm at the oral surgeon, I'm at the dentist, I'm 405 00:19:48,040 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 3: at the obi Joyanne, I'm at the kid I appointment. Yeah, 406 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,960 Speaker 3: Like it's I swear. I have three relatively healthy children, 407 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:57,520 Speaker 3: and yet the sheer number of various things they need 408 00:19:57,560 --> 00:20:01,920 Speaker 3: to go to that are at least medically aligned is high. 409 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 3: I think I counted once. It was like nineteen a 410 00:20:04,359 --> 00:20:06,960 Speaker 3: year or something, and I don't know a lot anyway. 411 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:09,800 Speaker 3: So I mean there's two ways of thinking of this. 412 00:20:09,960 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 3: There is the Okay, I need to figure out my 413 00:20:12,680 --> 00:20:16,000 Speaker 3: strategy to have more work hours outside of those days. 414 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:18,959 Speaker 3: And then there's also the acceptance that some months are 415 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:22,080 Speaker 3: going to be more productive than others. And so sometimes 416 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 3: giving myself that permission that, like, this is not the 417 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:27,680 Speaker 3: month I'm going to take on XYZ big project is fine, 418 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:29,399 Speaker 3: especially if I have a month when I know that 419 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:32,960 Speaker 3: I can be really really focused and get after it. 420 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 3: And I'm already thinking about May as Honestly, I don't 421 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:37,680 Speaker 3: think it's going to be a month of a lot 422 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:40,359 Speaker 3: of extra work, but April could be a really good 423 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 3: month for extra work. I have no call week. I 424 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 3: have really like no travel, Like I can really take 425 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:47,639 Speaker 3: my Tuesdays and Thursdays and try to keep them as 426 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 3: clear as possible. Working ahead. I know we're super ahead 427 00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:53,120 Speaker 3: in our best of both world recordings, so that's kind 428 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:54,919 Speaker 3: of awesome, and so I would have. 429 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:58,000 Speaker 1: Been lightning to strike us, Sarah. 430 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,080 Speaker 3: I know these are all tracks are going to be 431 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:01,080 Speaker 3: deleted and we're going to have to record them in May, 432 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 3: all of them. Just kidding, but you know, like as 433 00:21:04,119 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 3: Cal brought up during his interview a few weeks back, 434 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,320 Speaker 3: you know, sometimes the seasonality can be helpful. And I 435 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:15,600 Speaker 3: do think May and December for me are probably well. 436 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 3: December is special because I have a lot of kind 437 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:20,480 Speaker 3: of year ending stuff that I have to lean into professionally, 438 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:22,040 Speaker 3: so I can't do a lot of extra things in 439 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 3: addition to that. But I think May is kind of 440 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:27,399 Speaker 3: a month of like I think I do just have 441 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:31,160 Speaker 3: to be okay with working a little bit less, especially 442 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:33,640 Speaker 3: a May when I have a call week in there 443 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:38,280 Speaker 3: and a couple's trip with my husband. So that's kind 444 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:39,760 Speaker 3: of how I'm going to solve things this year. But 445 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:41,760 Speaker 3: that means April and June are going to be really 446 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:45,480 Speaker 3: kind of devoted more to productivity and trying to keep 447 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:46,960 Speaker 3: those Tuesdays and Thursdays clear. 448 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:51,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, and even if you do have flexibility and wind 449 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:53,040 Speaker 2: up covering a lot of this stuff, you can be 450 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 2: smart about when you schedule it too. I mean, batching 451 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:58,399 Speaker 2: things as much as possible. I've certainly wound up with 452 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:02,359 Speaker 2: them batching kid doctor appointments to the extent that that 453 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:06,440 Speaker 2: was possible. I think I did three and two this year, 454 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:11,000 Speaker 2: which was better than going five times. We're doing everyone's 455 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:13,160 Speaker 2: dentist appointments in one day that will have been long 456 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:15,800 Speaker 2: over by the time this errors, but can report back 457 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:20,320 Speaker 2: on how that went the or just asking for later 458 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:23,320 Speaker 2: in the afternoon appointments. I mean, this is kind of 459 00:22:23,400 --> 00:22:25,960 Speaker 2: upside of the kid not missing as much school if 460 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:29,320 Speaker 2: it's you know, something with that. But it's also for 461 00:22:29,480 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 2: those of us who do tend to be more productive 462 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:35,000 Speaker 2: in the morning, Like a ten am appointment is just 463 00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 2: a killer, right because that's your entire productive hours then, 464 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:43,919 Speaker 2: whereas if you have an appointment at two thirty, you 465 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,400 Speaker 2: might have been able to work from eight to two, 466 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:49,480 Speaker 2: and you're getting most of what you probably would have 467 00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:52,159 Speaker 2: gotten done between eight and five done. Between eight and 468 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:54,399 Speaker 2: two if you a tendency to, you know, kind of 469 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:57,760 Speaker 2: not be as productive in the afternoon, So just being 470 00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:00,760 Speaker 2: very careful of that, and then if you do wind 471 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:05,880 Speaker 2: up taking a lot of during the daytime, being totally 472 00:23:05,920 --> 00:23:10,120 Speaker 2: okay with scheduling some night and weekend sessions to make 473 00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:13,800 Speaker 2: it up is not necessarily a sign that something tragic 474 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:16,240 Speaker 2: has occurred if you are working on the weekend. I 475 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:19,040 Speaker 2: know some people feel that way, but I would encourage 476 00:23:19,040 --> 00:23:20,880 Speaker 2: people not to be so precious about it for certain 477 00:23:20,920 --> 00:23:23,480 Speaker 2: kinds of work, because like if you took three hours 478 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:26,320 Speaker 2: off on Tuesday, the time has to come from somewhere 479 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:30,919 Speaker 2: and unless you are reducing your responsibilities so you taking 480 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:33,640 Speaker 2: that means especially if you have a partner and they 481 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,760 Speaker 2: did not take that, that that person should probably take 482 00:23:37,000 --> 00:23:39,359 Speaker 2: three hours on Saturday so you can make up whatever 483 00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:40,760 Speaker 2: you did on Tuesday. 484 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:42,439 Speaker 1: And there is nothing wrong with that. It is just 485 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:44,640 Speaker 1: how the world kind of works. 486 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 3: I agree, it is not tragic. I did record a 487 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:50,240 Speaker 3: podcast episode at six thirty pm. It was the best 488 00:23:50,280 --> 00:23:54,120 Speaker 3: way to plans episode and it wasn't my favorite ever 489 00:23:54,240 --> 00:23:56,119 Speaker 3: time to be doing it. But honestly, if I have 490 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 3: a deadline, it's not the worst either. I'm like, it's 491 00:23:57,960 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 3: not eleven o'clock, it's not three in the morning. Like 492 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:02,440 Speaker 3: I can talk about planners at six pm. 493 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: It's okay. 494 00:24:03,240 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 2: Absolutely, we can talk about planners at any point of 495 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:08,720 Speaker 2: the day. Well, we're going to take a quick ad 496 00:24:08,720 --> 00:24:10,400 Speaker 2: break and then we'll be back with talking about ways 497 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:13,000 Speaker 2: that we can manage our energy, which is sort of 498 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,160 Speaker 2: a topic of whether we are working at three am 499 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:31,720 Speaker 2: or not. We are back talking about all things May, 500 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:36,200 Speaker 2: Sumber May, how we manage the month of May. We've 501 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 2: been talking about making sure you know when everything is happening, 502 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:43,359 Speaker 2: and being able to spot conflicts before they occur, making 503 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:45,879 Speaker 2: sure that you have a work life balance that works 504 00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:49,399 Speaker 2: for you, which can include creating some extra times to 505 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:51,639 Speaker 2: work if a lot of your work hours wind up 506 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:54,320 Speaker 2: being taken up with personal things, and that can certainly 507 00:24:54,320 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 2: happen for people who have more flexible jobs in May. 508 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:00,679 Speaker 2: So this last part we want to talk about is 509 00:25:00,720 --> 00:25:03,760 Speaker 2: how we manage our energy, because we want to do 510 00:25:03,840 --> 00:25:07,720 Speaker 2: things that add to our energy levels. And one really 511 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:11,440 Speaker 2: cool idea we heard from one of our Patreon community members. 512 00:25:12,000 --> 00:25:17,399 Speaker 2: So Mother's Day occurs in May, and I think in 513 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:19,119 Speaker 2: many of our minds we have the idea of like 514 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:21,639 Speaker 2: things we might do to add to our energy levels 515 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:23,080 Speaker 2: as a celebration. 516 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:23,360 Speaker 1: Of our motherhood. 517 00:25:23,359 --> 00:25:25,280 Speaker 2: People want to you know, go to the spa, you know, 518 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:27,000 Speaker 2: have a day to themselves or all that. But that 519 00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 2: is probably not how your family wants to celebrate Mother's 520 00:25:29,840 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 2: Day with you. Like they you know, if you have 521 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:33,080 Speaker 2: a partner, they might take the kids for a few 522 00:25:33,119 --> 00:25:35,159 Speaker 2: hours or whatever, but like they're going to want to 523 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 2: do stuff with you, or if you have you know, 524 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:40,240 Speaker 2: extended family around, you might wind up being part of 525 00:25:40,320 --> 00:25:43,719 Speaker 2: celebrations that are more aimed at kind of family matriarchs 526 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:47,080 Speaker 2: or something. And and so it can wind up being 527 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:50,640 Speaker 2: a little bit maybe not what you were hoping for 528 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 2: on that particular day. And so if that is the case, 529 00:25:54,080 --> 00:25:59,440 Speaker 2: our Patreon community members suggested having Mother's Day observed so 530 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:03,119 Speaker 2: when a holiday that like the government or post office 531 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:06,560 Speaker 2: would have off falls on a weekend, they then have 532 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 2: it observed at some point, like on the Monday. So 533 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:11,440 Speaker 2: you can do that, you know, instead of Mother's Day 534 00:26:11,560 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 2: on Sunday, have Mother's Day observed on Monday or Tuesday 535 00:26:14,240 --> 00:26:16,040 Speaker 2: or whatever happens to work for you. Maybe you could 536 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:19,360 Speaker 2: even take some paid time off from your job if 537 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:21,919 Speaker 2: that is an option, and go to the spa on 538 00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:24,160 Speaker 2: that day and so that way you get the best 539 00:26:24,200 --> 00:26:25,119 Speaker 2: of both worlds. 540 00:26:25,880 --> 00:26:29,200 Speaker 3: I'm totally doing this, and I'm also taking my birthday observed. 541 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:31,280 Speaker 3: And no, I am not bundling them to one day 542 00:26:31,320 --> 00:26:35,959 Speaker 3: because that would not be fair to me. So I 543 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:38,640 Speaker 3: love this idea. I think that's great and it's true, 544 00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 3: that's not I mean, the family wants to spend time 545 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:43,480 Speaker 3: with you. You want to celebrate being a mother by 546 00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 3: enjoying time with your family, but then to have a 547 00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:49,600 Speaker 3: little bit of extra time on another day is such 548 00:26:49,600 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 3: a beautiful idea. So thank you for that idea, Patreon member. 549 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:56,960 Speaker 3: And we also will go beyond that in terms of 550 00:26:57,080 --> 00:26:59,440 Speaker 3: managing your energy to make sure and we talk about 551 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:01,600 Speaker 3: this during the HOLI so this is a recurring theme, 552 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 3: but make sure you have something during this season that 553 00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:10,000 Speaker 3: you are looking forward to. So, Laura, what is that 554 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 3: going to be for you in May? 555 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:14,320 Speaker 1: Yeah? That's well. 556 00:27:14,359 --> 00:27:15,919 Speaker 2: I mean I haven't been running as much, so I 557 00:27:15,960 --> 00:27:19,399 Speaker 2: mean often would be run somewhere pretty that I enjoy. 558 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:25,480 Speaker 2: But I think even having some weekend downtime where I 559 00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:28,960 Speaker 2: am not running around after kids, especially if I get 560 00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:30,919 Speaker 2: the house to myself. Oh I love that. But I 561 00:27:31,040 --> 00:27:34,320 Speaker 2: like going to botanical gardens. I might do some of 562 00:27:34,359 --> 00:27:38,800 Speaker 2: that in May, going on a walk somewhere. 563 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:42,200 Speaker 1: I like going out to eat. 564 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:44,120 Speaker 2: Like my husband and I have often been doing casual 565 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:46,280 Speaker 2: dinners on Friday night on the nights when we have 566 00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:49,600 Speaker 2: childcare for Henry's that can be a fun thing too. 567 00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:50,919 Speaker 1: Obviously, a sing with my choir. 568 00:27:51,720 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 2: That's something I do almost every weekend, although I can 569 00:27:55,080 --> 00:27:56,760 Speaker 2: see that there are going to be several May weekends 570 00:27:56,760 --> 00:27:58,400 Speaker 2: where I'm not going to make it to church because 571 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 2: of various things, and so it's like a well, you know, 572 00:28:01,160 --> 00:28:04,400 Speaker 2: but just think about this, Like, what's going to be 573 00:28:04,600 --> 00:28:08,320 Speaker 2: restorative for you over the course of a weekend, even 574 00:28:08,359 --> 00:28:12,679 Speaker 2: if there is a ton of community or family related 575 00:28:12,760 --> 00:28:15,439 Speaker 2: activities that you need to do. I mean, how about you, Sarah, 576 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:18,119 Speaker 2: what is it that adds to your energy levels? 577 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:21,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean on the weekends I love really it's 578 00:28:21,280 --> 00:28:24,840 Speaker 3: non negotiable getting in the long run, usually on Saturday morning. 579 00:28:25,280 --> 00:28:27,680 Speaker 3: I love doing a date night of some kind on Saturday, 580 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:30,120 Speaker 3: or at least a family like out to dinner kind 581 00:28:30,119 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 3: of a night. And like you, I just enjoy some 582 00:28:33,240 --> 00:28:35,320 Speaker 3: total downtime. Like if I can get on the couch 583 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:39,240 Speaker 3: for two plus hours while the kids are having some 584 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:42,960 Speaker 3: device time one afternoon, then that is considered a huge 585 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:45,120 Speaker 3: win in my book. And I usually will read and 586 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 3: then I'll fall asleep and it's like the best thing ever. Yeah. 587 00:28:48,240 --> 00:28:50,560 Speaker 2: Well, in your non negotiables too, I mean, you get 588 00:28:50,600 --> 00:28:52,640 Speaker 2: your morning routine, you're running during the. 589 00:28:52,560 --> 00:28:54,200 Speaker 1: Week as well. I know that even on a very 590 00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:56,239 Speaker 1: busy day, you tend to do that. 591 00:28:57,000 --> 00:28:59,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean it helps that my non negotiables are 592 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:02,080 Speaker 3: usually during the time when everybody else is asleep, so 593 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:05,280 Speaker 3: it makes it it work for me. But I mean, yeah, 594 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:07,560 Speaker 3: that is not something that I would be happy to 595 00:29:07,560 --> 00:29:10,200 Speaker 3: give up just because our season happens to be busier. 596 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:13,600 Speaker 3: It's still really really important to me, and certain elements 597 00:29:13,640 --> 00:29:15,320 Speaker 3: of it still feel like treats to me, even though 598 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:17,080 Speaker 3: it's just a regular old Monday. I meet with a 599 00:29:17,080 --> 00:29:20,840 Speaker 3: group two of those days, and those are just like 600 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 3: built in fun time where I'm getting to do something 601 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:26,560 Speaker 3: that is purely something I look forward to and enjoy. 602 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:30,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, become more militant about my bedtime, which isn't that early, 603 00:29:30,560 --> 00:29:32,000 Speaker 2: but you know, I have to be up at around 604 00:29:32,080 --> 00:29:35,480 Speaker 2: six thirty most mornings during the week, and so bedtime 605 00:29:35,720 --> 00:29:37,960 Speaker 2: lights out has to be eleven. That's seven and a 606 00:29:38,000 --> 00:29:42,240 Speaker 2: half hours, and so pretty much, no matter what happens, 607 00:29:42,240 --> 00:29:44,360 Speaker 2: I'm going to be in bed at eleven o'clock. And 608 00:29:44,960 --> 00:29:47,920 Speaker 2: I've found that if I do that regularly, I just 609 00:29:48,000 --> 00:29:52,080 Speaker 2: feel a lot better about life. 610 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:53,160 Speaker 1: So I've been. 611 00:29:53,520 --> 00:29:58,400 Speaker 2: Trying to do that and just one thing that can 612 00:29:58,440 --> 00:30:01,200 Speaker 2: make like the down time you do have more fun 613 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:03,640 Speaker 2: with getting outside, and especially those of us who are 614 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:05,720 Speaker 2: in place where the weather does start getting nicer that 615 00:30:05,800 --> 00:30:07,960 Speaker 2: time of year, We've been doing a lot of what 616 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:11,840 Speaker 2: we call toad time, that is time outside after dinner, 617 00:30:13,040 --> 00:30:14,840 Speaker 2: and you know, I just sit outside in the nice 618 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:16,840 Speaker 2: weather and the kids play on the swing set, or 619 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:18,680 Speaker 2: run around the yard, or ride their bikes up and 620 00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:22,680 Speaker 2: down the driveway or something. And that's feels like it's 621 00:30:23,600 --> 00:30:26,120 Speaker 2: a little bit more low key on the nights that 622 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:29,360 Speaker 2: we do have that option. It's just a reminder that 623 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:33,600 Speaker 2: even during busy stretches, it's not over the top busy, 624 00:30:33,680 --> 00:30:36,080 Speaker 2: right there does tend to still be some space. 625 00:30:37,000 --> 00:30:39,600 Speaker 3: I like the openness of toad time too, because you know, 626 00:30:39,640 --> 00:30:41,240 Speaker 3: it can be a little kid playing on a swing 627 00:30:41,280 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 3: set but it could also be you know, a big 628 00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:45,240 Speaker 3: kid just moving their homework outside and doing it in 629 00:30:45,240 --> 00:30:49,000 Speaker 3: a nicer setting, or everybody enjoying like I don't know, 630 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:51,479 Speaker 3: a popsicles outside or something like that. Like it can 631 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:53,760 Speaker 3: be so flexible. It could be taking a dog for 632 00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:56,640 Speaker 3: a walk and just enjoying better weather. So yeah, I 633 00:30:56,760 --> 00:30:59,600 Speaker 3: like the openness of that, even if it's not necessarily 634 00:30:59,600 --> 00:31:02,200 Speaker 3: as easy executable where we are. 635 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:05,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly, well, you guys can do toad well promise, 636 00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:07,400 Speaker 2: then it's still dark with the. 637 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 3: Time I mean, I call it mosquito time around this. 638 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:15,920 Speaker 2: Yes, that seems a little bit less appealing, all right, 639 00:31:15,960 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 2: So these are some ways that we can think about December. 640 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:21,440 Speaker 2: I mean, making sure everything is on the calendar, making 641 00:31:21,520 --> 00:31:24,680 Speaker 2: sure that we spot conflicts ahead of time so we 642 00:31:24,720 --> 00:31:27,360 Speaker 2: can strategize to solve them. Making sure that you still 643 00:31:27,440 --> 00:31:32,600 Speaker 2: have enough time to work, particularly for those with flexible schedules, 644 00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:36,640 Speaker 2: and then managing your energy to make sure that you 645 00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 2: are not feeling like you are completely depleted by the 646 00:31:40,080 --> 00:31:42,280 Speaker 2: end of this, that even the busiest weekends have something 647 00:31:42,280 --> 00:31:46,200 Speaker 2: that you personally are still looking forward to. So this 648 00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:50,960 Speaker 2: listener question kids at weddings. This is obviously wedding season 649 00:31:51,120 --> 00:31:54,560 Speaker 2: May June. What do you think, Sarah, kids at weddings? 650 00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:55,600 Speaker 1: Yes or no? 651 00:31:56,840 --> 00:31:59,280 Speaker 3: I mean, as a general rule, it depends on the 652 00:31:59,400 --> 00:32:02,920 Speaker 3: vibe that bride and groom wants, so I'm happy to 653 00:32:03,280 --> 00:32:07,760 Speaker 3: generally oblige either way. I enjoy both kinds of event. However, 654 00:32:07,840 --> 00:32:11,840 Speaker 3: the caveat is kind of like relating to the kids' ages, 655 00:32:11,960 --> 00:32:14,960 Speaker 3: where I have found that family events have recently become fun, 656 00:32:15,000 --> 00:32:19,000 Speaker 3: but only fairly recently, like I'd say, when Genevieve turned 657 00:32:19,040 --> 00:32:21,560 Speaker 3: five or so, the age where you can basically let 658 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:23,480 Speaker 3: them run with their big siblings and not worry that 659 00:32:23,520 --> 00:32:27,320 Speaker 3: something catastrophic is going to happen within a relatively closed environment. 660 00:32:28,200 --> 00:32:31,000 Speaker 3: When you have like that toddler and they want to 661 00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:32,880 Speaker 3: invite kids and the whole family, yes, I get that 662 00:32:32,920 --> 00:32:36,120 Speaker 3: it's pretty in the pictures to have this cute little cherubic, 663 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:39,520 Speaker 3: you know, flower girl running around, but I personally found 664 00:32:39,520 --> 00:32:41,960 Speaker 3: it a bit of a kill joy. So one compromise 665 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:44,400 Speaker 3: would be to bring the big kids who can have 666 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:47,440 Speaker 3: fun and are still cute, and maybe leave the baby 667 00:32:47,440 --> 00:32:49,800 Speaker 3: home with a sitter if it is a kids are 668 00:32:49,840 --> 00:32:51,960 Speaker 3: invited type of wedding, because really, the little one is 669 00:32:52,000 --> 00:32:54,720 Speaker 3: not going to have memories from the event anyway, and 670 00:32:54,800 --> 00:32:58,240 Speaker 3: everybody else's time will be elevated. But adults only events 671 00:32:58,240 --> 00:33:00,040 Speaker 3: are great too. I don't complain if I get but 672 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:03,320 Speaker 3: you know, unless it's like if my sister like was 673 00:33:03,480 --> 00:33:05,560 Speaker 3: having a wedding and didn't invite my kids, I might 674 00:33:05,600 --> 00:33:07,760 Speaker 3: be a little offended because it's like we're that close 675 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:12,440 Speaker 3: of a relationship. But beyond that, I mean I'm fine. 676 00:33:12,760 --> 00:33:15,000 Speaker 3: Adults only is fun. Then you get to be a 677 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:16,600 Speaker 3: grown up and party and enjoy it. 678 00:33:17,480 --> 00:33:19,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean you could definitely. 679 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:22,040 Speaker 2: I would say kids under five, somebody is going to 680 00:33:22,080 --> 00:33:24,280 Speaker 2: need to watch them the entire time, So somebody will 681 00:33:24,320 --> 00:33:27,800 Speaker 2: not be participating in most of the adult conversations or 682 00:33:28,440 --> 00:33:31,320 Speaker 2: the ceremony and enjoyment of the wedding. So you just 683 00:33:31,360 --> 00:33:34,760 Speaker 2: have to know that going in, and you know, you 684 00:33:34,840 --> 00:33:39,040 Speaker 2: could split this or you can also just if it's 685 00:33:39,240 --> 00:33:42,000 Speaker 2: not that particular person's family, maybe they might be willing 686 00:33:42,040 --> 00:33:43,920 Speaker 2: to take one for the team. I know that my 687 00:33:44,720 --> 00:33:48,320 Speaker 2: husband wound up chasing Henry around my little brother's wedding. 688 00:33:49,000 --> 00:33:51,680 Speaker 2: That was you know, when he was, oh boy, like 689 00:33:52,000 --> 00:33:58,080 Speaker 2: a toddler, and he was just everywhere, and so Michael 690 00:33:58,120 --> 00:34:00,440 Speaker 2: took him and I could talk to my family and 691 00:34:00,480 --> 00:34:04,440 Speaker 2: that was great, but you know, it wouldn't have worked 692 00:34:04,520 --> 00:34:07,520 Speaker 2: for both of us to be able to interact with 693 00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:11,000 Speaker 2: people given that reality. So yeah, kids under five really 694 00:34:11,120 --> 00:34:14,359 Speaker 2: just think through that reality. And one option you bring 695 00:34:14,400 --> 00:34:16,920 Speaker 2: them for part of the time, because particularly if summary 696 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:19,359 Speaker 2: you've like gone somewhere and you have a hotel room there, 697 00:34:19,680 --> 00:34:22,080 Speaker 2: maybe you can bring the little kids for a little 698 00:34:22,080 --> 00:34:24,239 Speaker 2: bit so they get in the photos, and then you 699 00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:27,560 Speaker 2: book a sitter at the hotel. They go back and 700 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:32,719 Speaker 2: watch movies and order pizza from room service, and you 701 00:34:32,800 --> 00:34:37,000 Speaker 2: can go have the conversations with relatives and friends for 702 00:34:37,080 --> 00:34:39,040 Speaker 2: a few hours and then come back. And that might 703 00:34:39,080 --> 00:34:41,080 Speaker 2: be a way to have kind of best of both 704 00:34:41,120 --> 00:34:45,480 Speaker 2: worlds with little ones and weddings. All right, So love 705 00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:47,600 Speaker 2: of the week, Sarah, What are you enjoying this week? 706 00:34:48,520 --> 00:34:51,400 Speaker 3: We had a recent trip to do some kids shopping, 707 00:34:51,760 --> 00:34:54,960 Speaker 3: and I think I still stand behind Abercrombie Kids being 708 00:34:54,960 --> 00:34:59,080 Speaker 3: my current favorite kids retailer. Like the price point is 709 00:34:59,120 --> 00:35:01,799 Speaker 3: not super low, but they have sales. It seems like 710 00:35:01,840 --> 00:35:05,640 Speaker 3: it's well made. My kids like the styles, but I 711 00:35:05,800 --> 00:35:08,880 Speaker 3: like them too, which is not always going to be true. 712 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:12,320 Speaker 3: And so right now. They're kind of like our number 713 00:35:12,320 --> 00:35:16,879 Speaker 3: one go to for tween and little not necessarily boys 714 00:35:16,880 --> 00:35:19,560 Speaker 3: as much, because Cameron's much more into like Nike under 715 00:35:19,680 --> 00:35:22,080 Speaker 3: Arm or whatever. But I guess for the girls, we're 716 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:23,480 Speaker 3: into Abercrombi kids. 717 00:35:23,920 --> 00:35:24,360 Speaker 1: Awesome. 718 00:35:25,000 --> 00:35:26,880 Speaker 2: Well, my love of the week is going to be 719 00:35:27,120 --> 00:35:31,680 Speaker 2: wireless chargers, So I probably should bite the bullet and 720 00:35:31,800 --> 00:35:34,600 Speaker 2: buy a new iPhone. I've had mine since the beginning 721 00:35:34,640 --> 00:35:36,560 Speaker 2: of twenty nineteen, so it has made it through over 722 00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:39,680 Speaker 2: five years, which I think is impressive for a phone. 723 00:35:39,680 --> 00:35:42,040 Speaker 2: But the plug part basically stop working, like I can't 724 00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:44,239 Speaker 2: plug it in, you know, and charge it with a 725 00:35:44,239 --> 00:35:49,440 Speaker 2: regular wall charger. So I bought a couple of wireless chargers, 726 00:35:49,440 --> 00:35:51,759 Speaker 2: which are fairly inexpensive. So you plug the it's like 727 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:57,600 Speaker 2: a little sphere, well flat circle, and that gets plugged 728 00:35:57,600 --> 00:35:59,719 Speaker 2: into the wall and then you put your phone on 729 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:03,080 Speaker 2: top of it and it charges the phone that way, 730 00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:06,200 Speaker 2: and that works, so it doesn't matter that the little 731 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:10,319 Speaker 2: port doesn't work anymore. Again, I probably need to bite 732 00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:11,920 Speaker 2: the bullet and buy a new phone, but this has 733 00:36:11,960 --> 00:36:14,480 Speaker 2: bought me another few months, so I mean, you know, 734 00:36:14,719 --> 00:36:18,759 Speaker 2: it's more economical doing it that way, and I just 735 00:36:18,840 --> 00:36:21,840 Speaker 2: put it down on my desk. It's chugged in and 736 00:36:22,640 --> 00:36:25,200 Speaker 2: my phone is constantly charging and it's awesome. 737 00:36:25,719 --> 00:36:28,720 Speaker 3: Cool, great to extend the life of your electronics. 738 00:36:28,960 --> 00:36:31,560 Speaker 2: Yes, I know, I'd like to use things up when 739 00:36:31,600 --> 00:36:34,920 Speaker 2: it all possible. Well, this has been best of both worlds. 740 00:36:34,960 --> 00:36:38,839 Speaker 2: We've been talking all things may, how to survive and 741 00:36:39,120 --> 00:36:41,520 Speaker 2: perhaps even thrive in what tends to be a very 742 00:36:41,560 --> 00:36:44,680 Speaker 2: busy month for people with school age kids. We will 743 00:36:44,680 --> 00:36:46,759 Speaker 2: be back next week with more on making work and 744 00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:47,720 Speaker 2: life fit together. 745 00:36:49,760 --> 00:36:52,560 Speaker 3: Thanks for listening. You can find me Sarah at the 746 00:36:52,560 --> 00:36:56,960 Speaker 3: shoebox dot com or at the Underscore Shoebox on Instagram, 747 00:36:57,400 --> 00:36:57,719 Speaker 3: and you. 748 00:36:57,680 --> 00:37:01,880 Speaker 2: Can find me Laura at Laura vandercam dot com. This 749 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:05,239 Speaker 2: has been the best of both worlds podcasts. Please join 750 00:37:05,320 --> 00:37:08,040 Speaker 2: us next time for more on making work and life 751 00:37:08,200 --> 00:37:08,880 Speaker 2: work together.