On the job training -- known in the biz as "OJT"

Lately I've been thinking a lot about all the skills I am picking up being a mom. I am sure the list is endless, but here are some creative jobs that I think motherhood prepares you for. (Keep in mind, that I am in Human Resources and most of that time was in recruiting, so clearly I am qualified to make the following suggestions.)

Peace negotiator Last week I made the suggestion that my three year old clean her room. This is what I will call a "strategic error". But like many professionals before me, I learned my lessons. Clearly making this suggestion at 7:30 at night was not wise, she is clearly vulnerable at this time. However, as many moms can attest, once you suggest/demand something you cannot give in. And so it began...the crying, the rolling on the floor and general carrying on. Consider this as analogous to a stand off. She cries and cries and then suddenly pulls herself together to say, "are those new pajamas?" Referring to the pajamas that I put her sister in. I answer then the crying continues. Finally, 20 minutes later we are in her room cleaning up. If I can do this a couple times a week, how hard could the Middle East situation be?

Janitor Not only could I do this job, but I could also give some tips. For instance, don't clean up right away. I know, it sounds strange, but its a lot easier to clean up rice and mac and cheese off the floor after they have sat on the floor overnight and dried up. Sure, there might be some ants, but so what. The time savings is totally worth it.

Fish Monger Nothing was as priceless as the scene I witnessed a couple weeks ago. We were having a precious family outing. Neighborhood outdoor concert, picnic dinner, kids playing with other kids -- it was right out of a Rockfeller painting, blah blah. Then the three year old turns to her father and points at him and says "here Dad". There is something on her finger. Its long, its gooey and its green. Oh, yes, thats right, its a big fat booger. I am still laughing thinking about it. He panics, looks at me as though he has seen a ghost, looks back at her, "what is that?" Who has time to analyze it -- just get it with a napkin. For the love of God, in these times, its all about action. He's paralyzed in fear, I jump over and swoop it up before the entire town sees the booger. Hence, my comfort with such yucky things would probably make me comfortable with fish guts too.

I think thats it for now. I'll let you know what else I come up with....