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Alas, Agent Moms Unite!

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Homes and Gardens The Masiello Group

I've been on Activerain for under one month, now, and this is definitely how I identify myself. Agents in my office will often say "we know, we had young kids when we started in the business," and I wonder how much is the same, and how much has changed, really.

We all must have the extra lunches to pack each day as we go into town, dropping off children where they will spend a few hours, half or all day.

We all must get those calls to leave a showing to come pick up a sick child.

We all must think about our children as evenings and weekends are often spent with clients.

We all can appreciate, however, having a flexible schedule that we can attend our children's first performances in dance, sporting games, and field trips, if we choose to.

On top of it, I am attending grad school (1 weekend per month) and have settled on the fact that my business must be "quality" oriented, rather than "quantity". It took me a long time after my first child to accept that I should step out of the competition with agents who are truly full time plus++. I am also more selective with the clients I choose to work with, having no time to be tour guide!

I, too, am curious how others are dealing. I've chosen to take Tuesday afternoons and all of Thursdays off to be with my kids (8 months and 4 years) and I've been in the business for 7 years now, so this seems to work. We all get our "mid week fix" of each other and really appreciate the time my kids have to be not only with me, but together. There will be so many days ahead when they will need to be in school full time apart from me and each other. This decision has been more affordable (childcare expenses) as well as really benefited our relationship and time together.

Comments(5)

Marlene Pellegrini
Norwich, CT

This morning my 1st grader had his "Monday Morning Meltdown."  The transition to school has been hard on him.  It breaks my heart to see him so nervous.  I had a listing appointment right after and I was just out of sorts.  Luckily it was with a very nice man who shared his experience with working with children (semi-retired teacher) and how he use to deal with helping children transition back to school. So at least we built some rapport with a subject we both have experienced.  He listed a nice piece of land with me today.

Sep 15, 2008 04:51 AM
Stephanie Jacques
Better Homes and Gardens The Masiello Group - Keene, NH
Stephanie Jacques Kleine

I can completely relate. My 4 year old just started a new school this year, and she loves it, though I never believed kids could love going to school until she started this school.

Last year she was at another preschool and it took her 11 months to get to a point where she wouldn't cry and cling when I left. I know the difference is in that she's older now, and also that she seems to really love it here. It used to be that, each morning, the first thing she'd say was "I don't want to go to school" and begin her day sobbing even before breakfast. Finally a break through!

So, I'm sure you'll get there too. I can very much sympathize and you might want to try and schedule your appointments a bit farther apart from drop off time so you can put yourself back together too! I used to just dread drop off because they were so hard!

Good luck.

Sep 15, 2008 05:17 AM
Laura Gray
RE/MAX Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD

Stephanie ,

Before the market slowed down my schedule was a well oiled machine.Now I find I am in the process of realigning my schedule again so that my girls can get to know me again.

Wednesdays was the day off of choice , the evening was spent traveling for team practices for the kids. Saturday mornings early 9:00 am -10:30 am was ballet time any client could meet me by 11:00 am to look at houses.

I also tried to schedule 1 day a week to volunteer at the school , either in each classroom or , classroom and then lunch or recess duty.

I have six children so at any given time my schedule has to be creative but most of them are grown now. I have three at home 6 yr old twins & a 7th grader, This year starting tomorrow Wed nights will be saved for Girl Scouts.

I go thru phases were I am the full time ++ agent and then when I get burnt out I want to be just mom. I find that perfect balance is almost impossible to achieve as long as you have children.

Laura

Sep 16, 2008 09:26 AM
Jennifer Hartwick
Crane and Crane Real Estate - Columbia, MO

I enjoyed reading your entry and appreciated your comment about quality over quanity and I can so much relate.  I have tues/thurs set aside for family time and that seems to be working well.  It may not be perfect, but at least I feel more balanced.

Sep 16, 2008 10:40 AM
Stephanie Jacques
Better Homes and Gardens The Masiello Group - Keene, NH
Stephanie Jacques Kleine

I take Ts. afternoons and Thursdays as well. It seems to work well as weekends and evenings I often take appointments.

Apr 23, 2009 12:51 AM