by Tara Pringle Jefferson
My husband went to a work function with me last year and finally met everyone in my six-person department. He smiled as they told him stories about how I perform under pressure. “She’s so calm,” my boss told him. “She never ever gets flustered.”
He shot me a look as if to say, “Is she talking about you?”
I admit it – my work self is completely different from how I am at home. I’m a lot calmer at work, like my co-workers said, and I tend to be a lot quieter, as I find the best way for me to work is to be a better listener.
I’m not radically different at home but I am a lot louder and say what’s on my mind almost instantly, rather than mulling it over for a second like I do at work to prevent me from making embarrassing statements or blunders.
Why is that? If my kids saw me at work, would they say, “Yup, that’s the Mommy I know!” or would they say, “Geez, who is that lady? She seems so much nicer than my Mommy.” As sad as it sounds, I feel like it would be the latter.
I am working to merge my two “personalities” – be a better listener at home and a bit more outspoken at work. My babies deserve it.
Are you different at work than you are at home? Would your kids recognize you at work?
Tara Pringle Jefferson is a freelance writer and blogger living in Ohio with her husband and two children. Visit her blog, www.theyoungmommylife.com, to read more of her observations about life, motherhood and love.
Yea, I have two personalities too. I am more reserved and quiet at work as well. But at home, I’m like the drill sergeant. I’ve always felt that at work I’m just being professional. But, I don’t have an excuse for not being more patient and attentive at home. I do know this for a fact – My home life is definitely more stressful than my work life. So, I think this may play a factor in how I behave. But like you, I am trying harder to merge the two personalities. Even my children recognize it. My oldest daughter has asked me in the past to act more like her friend’s mothers, who are probably on prozac or something. I asked her what does she mean and basically she wants me to smile more and just be happier (more “chipper”) at home. I’m a work in progress.
My kids would be like you are so much more relaxed and nicer at work than you are at home. I would look at them and say, “yeah I don’t have to really yell at anyone hear making annoying noises, throwing stuff or fighting.” Ah, can;t wait to get to work.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy =-.
Actually, it’s totally different for me I am aggressive, strong willed and loud :), its called for, this is the real me but at home i try to be softer and submit to my husband and set the right example for my kids
What a wake up call! I am ALWAYS called calm, gentle, even passionate at work (I am a pediatric nurse in an ICU setting). I can’t even explain why I am not more patient and calm at home. I know I love my children but somehow I always find myself yelling at them. I would love to learn a calmer way of parenting, because I feel like a monster everytime I resort to yelling. Then I feel even worse when my child says, Mom, I love you (even after you yelled at them earlier in the day).
I am the same at home and at work, I find it easy to act the same in both environments but that’s because the same calm demeanor I have at home, I have at work, I have in good times and bad. I just always am thinking before I speak or react… But of course when things are going awry at home, such as when the kids go into full fledge destroy mode, then usually I defer to my wife and let her scream at them…LOL
I think sometimes it’s easier for men to be the same at home and at work. Any thoughts on that?
.-= Tara´s last blog ..Whats new with the book =-.
Don’t agree Tara. At least not in my case I’m totally different at home than at work.
.-= Lamar´s last blog ..When Suicide Seems to be the Answer =-.
when i was working i was more or less the same as i was at home. outgoing,friendly,robust!!! always helping those who needed,speaking my mind w/o being rude.
Yes we do have two diff personalities.(I have more, that is on another post/comment) LOL. At work you can hear me smile when I answer the phone. At home I don’t want to hear a phone ring or anyone vistit unannounced. At work I answer phones all day long and get to see and converse with many personalities of ppl. Not all people are nice. My kids know how I am at work. I loved when my kids were younger because I would tell them “It’s Take Your Child To Work Day”. Most kids know their ABC’s before they start kindergarten, I would have them file(not as pre schoolers, but as teens). They are older now and when I call/drag them in to my job to help me out they do leave with a check in hand and not from me. LOL.
I think too, that we deal with children at home. You should be different! You are dealing with adults at work! Lol!! Not saying you can’t be more patient, but your children are in training for the real world. Look at it like this, you are preparing them for a position somewhere doing something. Good job mom!
I had to think hard about this one but I will say I am definitely more relaxed at work and try to act all professional and proper. When I am at home however, all that decorum goes out the window. As I have no kids, its my younger ones that feel my wrath… haha.
I agree 100 percent! Because I am the same exact way and now that I’ve realized that it is not just me, I will do the same for my God-given angels because your right they do dexerve it!