Elizabeth Potts Weinstein » email

Vacation With Toddler

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Thu, 03 May 2007 14:20:52 +0000

We just got back from our first real vacation-with-kid, to the Big Island in Hawaii (pictures to come when I find the cord to connect the computer to my camera). When I say "real," I mean a vacation that was not people tagging along on a business trip, or a trip to visit family. I mean a vacation with no actual purpose, except to relax and spend time together. But is vacationing with a 2 year old relaxing? In a word … no. Not really. I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation, and was excited to put Gracie back in preschool on Monday. As wonderful of a time as we had, as a family, with minimal business work (Mark worked 1-3 hrs/day and I still checked email) in one of the most beautiful locations on earth … it was not really a complete vacation for me. Because even though I didn’t take my business with me, I still took my kid and my husband. So a big part of my "work" was still there. And, since Mark threw out his back on the first night, and then caught a bad cold the next day, I had two babies to mother. So now I am planning a girls-only, adult vacation for just me. I’m planning to visit a college friend this summer (who is still sans-child), for adult-only, no-kids, no-boy fun. As much as I love and cherish both my family and my business … sometimes I just need a break!

Living as a Single Mom …

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:36:21 +0000

… Mark is "in trial" right now. For those of you non-lawyers (non-paralegals, non-legal assistants, and not married/partnered with anyone in the legal field), that means he pretty much does not exist from my perspective. He’s living in a hotel about 2 miles from our house – but it might as well be at the end of the world for as much as we are going to see him for the next week or two, at least. I’m lucky to get a 2-minute phone call or email each day, confirming he’s alive. So right now I am a single mom. Doing everything myself, including Mark’s "jobs" (taking out the trash, doing the dishes), and with no one else here to help entertain a 2 year old. The funny thing is that after the first day, I adjusted pretty well. Since no one else was going to do it (dishes, tidying, trash, packing Gracie’s lunch) I went ahead and did it, instead of procrastinating. I’ve developed routines for the end and beginning of the day, so I’m more efficient to get it done and get us out the door. And, since I don’t spend time taking care of my husband or talking to my husband, I have time to get the other stuff done. Gracie was REALLY upset the first day or so. When daddy left, she cried. I told her the truth (that daddy is going to work for a week, a long while, and then he’s going to come back). The next day at school she cried all day and the first thing she said to me when I picked her up was "where’s daddy?" But the next day she was fine. And today she did ask me twice "daddy okay?" I said yes, daddy’s okay, and he’s at work. She said "hi, daddy!" I asked her if daddy could hear her and she said "yes". And perhaps he can.

First day of preschool … and a few tears …

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:45:15 +0000

Were you thinking that I was going to say that the tears were from mommy instead of the new student? Um, no. Grace was crying a bit as mommy left, but mommy is fine. Excited actually. Partially for Gracie, who is embarking on a new adventure of interesting toys, new friends and teachers (that will last her for the next two decades or so). But also for mommy. Grace is attending a full-time preschool/daycare, where I have the freedom to dropoff/pickup her anytime between 6:30 am to 6:00 pm. Not that I would keep her there for 11 1/2 hrs, or five days per week. Probably more like 5-7 hrs per day for 4 days per week. From this arrangement, I have the ability to take opportunities for speaking engagements, interviews, and to create new projects for my business, without being limited by scheduled nanny or babysitter hours. But the biggest benefit is that I will have enough time during her school day to get my work done, so when I am spending time with Grace, I will be able to spend time 100% on her, not part on work and part on Grace. It’s great to be able to work from home with your kids around, but it means that everything only gets partial attention (unless you are really disciplined about it). And it was driving me nuts. I felt pressure (from myself) to work all the time, and pressure (in the form of a nagging child) to spend quality time w/ Gracie. The laptop was always open. Today I feel such a release of that pressure. Now, when I pick Grace up from school, I will not be checking email and monitoring my website. I will take her to the park to play in puddles and do crafts with her at the kitchen table. We will sing songs and build castles on the floor. The laptop will be closed.

Is it possible for a solopreneur to take a vacation?

Elizabeth Potts Weinstein — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 11:36:13 +0000

Not sure if I am capable of taking an "at home" vacation anymore. I’m great at not checking email or doing work when I am out of town, but last week when Grandma and Papa were here, I was working on projects and checking email all day long most days (except when we were out of the house). Probably was also influenced by my dad, who has his own internet business, and was answering phone calls and doing a bit of work throughout the week. Hard to cut off when you are a solo-preneur, since there really isn’t anyone else to deal with the issue, or solve the problem. And, hey, we love it, don’t we? That’s why we are doing it — it’s not just a job, it’s a passion, a hobby we get paid for — so we don’t feel that need to escape felt by those who are still employed. But we do need a break. If nothing else, just to recharge, get new ideas about pending issues, let our minds incubate until we attack the projects upon our return. On Wednesday, I made a conscious effort to not work for the entire day. I felt incredibly decadent. Perhaps I should calendar vacation-days regularly. Or at least take one day off each week.