October 2007 Newsletter: A Tale of Two PR Moms
As working women, one dilemma that we all may face at one time or another is whether to go back to work or stay at home with our children. It takes a lot of juggling to have it all. Luckily, there is no one, right answer! As PR professionals we work in an industry that allows us the flexibility to be the best Moms we can be no matter the decision we make. Gwen Haynes and Tammy Lemley, two long-time WWPR members share their stories about the decisions they made and how PR helps them to be better Moms. Read more (link)
“Working PR Mom”
Name: Tammy Lemley
Title: Vice President
Company: North American Network
Years in PR: 12
Daughter: Hanna, 11 months
Your first few months as a new Mom… what a magical time! Take full advantage of your “maternity leave” and truly LEAVE your work behind. Caring for a newborn is all-consuming emotionally, mentally and physically. You’ll want to spend those first months focused on your baby and bonding as a family. You’ll be amazed at how fast 3 months go by and you’ll treasure that special time of no cell phone and no email - aside from sending baby photos!
1. Why did you make the decision to go back to work?
I love my job AND I’m fortunate to work for a very family-friendly company! I told my boss right away that I was expecting and assured him that I would be back after maternity leave, provided that I could work flexible hours or from home one day a week. My husband has his own audio business, working mostly evenings and weekends. So, he’s a “Stay at Home Dad” right now and loving it! I have special time with Hanna in the early mornings then Daddy takes over until I get home from work.
2A. Now that you are a Mom, does working in PR offer any specific advantages or challenges?
With technology and the ability to work remotely, PR can be a great profession to go hand-in-hand with motherhood. However, it depends on the nature of your job. Several friends who previously worked long hours or did lots of business travel have decided to stay home or work part time.
3. Does your PR experience help you in any way to be a better Mom?
Yes! Multi-tasking and networking are PR skills that every Mom needs. You’re just “working” in a different arena now! Networking with other moms is a great way to get the inside scoop on the best of everything for your baby from childcare to toys & more. As a Mom, you’ll also find planning & crisis management skills come in handy! You’ll need to be strategic about when you go to the grocery store or take a shower. And, what do you do when baby won’t stop crying? Get CREATIVE!! Sing, sway, speak French or make funny faces… whatever it takes to satisfy your new month-old client!
4. Advice to others considering staying home or returning to work?
Remember, it doesn’t have to be “all-or-nothing”! Ask your employer about flexible hours or working part-time. You can also work from home with a program like gotomypc.com. Or, take a break and then begin freelancing when you’re ready. A friend quit her hectic PR job, but now writes freelance articles on family topics for the Washington Post. She takes her toddler with her when she’s doing research for stories!
5. Favorite Resources for Moms
Baby 411 – easy & fun to read reference for your baby’s first year
Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy – keeps you laughing all 9 months!
Babyfit.com – weekly emails & articles for a healthy pregnancy
Storkavenue.com – baby announcements. Get your envelopes & address them before the baby’s born.
Kids Consignment Shops – you’ll be amazed to find new & like-new bargains!
“Stay-at-Home PR Mom”
Name: Gwen Haynes
Title: Stay-at-home Mom (SAHM)
Career Snapshot: Ten years of public relations and communications experience in the D.C. Metro area. Professional experience began in 1997 at Fleishman-Hillard Inc. and continued until February 2007 at the Points of Light Foundation.
Years in PR: 10
Son: Miles Christian Haynes, 6 months old
1. Why did you make the decision to stay home?
Actually, my two top picks for daycare fell through and my third choice was no longer appealing. To be quite honest, I think that my daycare not working out helped me make a decision I was afraid to make on my own. Throughout maternity leave, I felt that I couldn’t leave my brand new baby, but what would my family, friends and colleagues say about me turning into a Gymboree mom? Other questions that plagued me included: Was I doing what was best for my son? Would the PR world welcome me back when I was ready to return? How do you keep your professional skills sharp while singing twinkle, twinkle little star all day? However, I have come to realize there is no one size fit all answer, so I made the best decision for right now. Therefore, a ten year PR career is now on hold while I focus on the most important job I have ever had—raising my son.
2. Do you think you will have any challenges re-entering the PR world after taking time off from the industry?
One of the many reasons I love PR are the countless paths in which you can steer your career. You can work for an agency or a nonprofit or from home; you can be an events planner or account supervisor or writer/editor. I believe that when I decide that Miles can stand (literally) on his own, I will be able to find the right fit for a PR Mom that wants to be active in her child’s life, but can still offer something to the professional world.
3. Does your PR experience help you in any way to be a better Mom?
Yes, training in dealing with demanding clients, constant and changing deadlines, and crisis management! Multitasking comes in handy and being able to provide assistance at any time of the day or night.
4. Advice to other PR women considering staying home?
Tip 1: If you decide to stay at home, do not second guess yourself. Remember your child will only be young once, you may not remember the client you won or article you pitched, but you will always remember their first steps or the first time they said “MaMa.” You being a part of AND guiding their development is priceless.
Tip 2: Plan on just staying home for a year or shorter [stay on the daycare lists!] and see if it works for you. If not, go back to work full-or part-time. It really is that simple. You will be surprised at the number of employers that will understand you took the time-off to care for your child. If not, you probably wouldn’t want to work there anyway.
Tip 3: Stay involved in the PR world. Continue to stay active in organizations, such as WWPR, PRSA and others. Also, keep reading your industry-related publications and visiting web sites that keep you informed. Stay in the know as much as possible and volunteer for PR-related events, such as WWPR’s Woman of the Year event.
5. Favorite Resources for Moms
DCurbanmom.com – website forum where you can ask baby-related questions OR find a nanny. Also, has a small business directory!
Working Mother (workingmother.com) – I wonder if I am the only SAHM with a subscription? They have great articles from all perspectives -- keeps you “in the know” for your return to the work world.
Dr. Greene Online (www.drgreene.com) – great health site for mommy questions
Tiny Prints (www.tinyprints.com) – Get shower invitations to baby announcements and thank you cards! Beautiful designs!
I Was a Really Good Mom before I had Kids – Wonderful book that makes you laugh AND realize that you are not the first Mom to feel crazy.
