Shh. Meeting in Progress.

Friday morning, I was on a conference call.  I had the door to my office open; both Mr. Hot and Shortman were roaming around, but I wasn't using the speaker functionality - I was holding the handset up to my ear.

We were chatting about a spreadsheet that I had updated when the screeching started.

"Shortman!!!  Shortman!!!!  Get your butt down here!"

It was one of those screams that could mean either, "I've just cut my finger off" or "You left the milk on the counter again."

All of the intelligent words and explanations that were previously coming out of my mouth stopped.  I completely lost track of what I had been saying.

"Hotfessional?", I heard on the other end of the phone.  "Did I lose you?"

"Oh, no, I'm sorry.  I just heard some screaming, and I lost track of what I was saying."

"I know that feeling", he replied.  "I work from home, and sometimes the kids start fighting and it gets really loud around here."

I laughed.  "Yes, but this time, it was my husband."

What do you do in these situations?  Now that working from home is becoming more common, it's not necessary to hide the fact that you are a telecommuter, but still, you want to give every impression that you are focused on the task at hand, and that fights over who gets the last of the ice cream are not going on behind you.

I've started posting my calendar with important meetings highlighted on my office door. Even if I want to leave the door open (it does get warm in my little space so every little bit of cross-ventilation helps) - my six-footers can read and know the glare they will get if they interrupt me for something non-life-threatening.

For those of you with young ones, and no adults to keep them preoccupied during your meetings (how *do* you *do* it?), a two-sided construction paper face (one side smiley, one side "shhhh") hanging on your door may help.  As will scheduling meetings during times when your children are otherwise occupied.  Naptime? (IF they are 'good nappers') -  Dora-time?

If you have an especially important meeting, a trade with another Mom can be invaluable. She keeps your little ones occupied for your meeting in exchange for a trip to the grocery store (OR her own important meeting!).

Of course, it would be nice if my cats could read.  Or at least understand that walking across my phone or meowing in my face is very unprofessional.

My personal blog is My Life as a Hotfessional - if you'd like to hear about the rest of the craziness in my life, please come by for a visit.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 10:00 am and is filed under Working Moms.