We all need peeps whom we can share thoughts and challenges with. This is especially important at work, where we all spend so much of our time. I have the pleasure of working with Ann Schwieso, our Head of Retail at the bank. Ann and I have had many-a-discussion on women issues. Maybe someday all of our colorful insights will be published! In the meantime, enjoy Ann's perspective and take on life.
Quick bio (family, current job, where from):Ann Schwieso, wife of Chris; we are both natives of Shelby County (rural Harlan & Defiance). Mom to three girls (Aubrey 9, Mia 7, Kendall 3). Community Banker at Shelby County State Bank in Harlan, IA. Proud Iowa State Cyclone fan and alum.
Favorite family tradition: Some of my favorite family memories are when we travel to Ames to cheer on the Cyclones, we like to attend football games, basketball games, and show our girls around campus. That time spent as just the five of us is special and I hope those are memories that our girls look back on fondly in the years to come.
We also have a family tradition of celebrating ½ birthdays with sprinkle pancakes for dinner. Sometimes we go so far as to put a candle in the pancakes and sing. It is fun celebration to look forward to.
Funniest kid story of late:
I have so many memories of my girls that make me smile as I recall them. It is so fun to see life through the eyes of girls at 3 different ages.
Most recently my funny stories involve our 3 year old, Kendall. She is at the age where she is adorable, witty and funny in one second and on the floor mid-tantrum the next. It is amusing that my older girls get to see how ridiculous the mood swings can really be.
Most surprising lesson you’ve learned about being a mother: I continue to be amazed at how different my children can be. They have the same mother and father, are all the same gender, and are being raised in the same environment, but yet they are so very different. It reminds me that God is amazing and creates each of us just as we should be. But it also baffles me as a mother when they are motivated by such different things, and their personalities can be so different. It keeps us on our toes.
Opinion on work/life Balance: This is a daily struggle for me. I have guilt when I am not with my children, but when I am with them for extended periods of time I have a pull toward my career and work. That comforts me that I am doing the right thing, I don’t think I have the patience to be a stay-at-home mom (god bless those that do). I love my children, I really do, but patience has never been one of my strengths. I also enjoy the satisfaction of my contribution to my employer. In my mind I think working 4 days a week sounds perfect, not attainable in my current role/career, but it sure sounds great.
Guilty pleasure: Chocolate, bad TV, and me time. Speaking of me time, I am protective of my lunch hour, it is a dedicated time when I get to decide what takes place. Some days I spend it folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher, and other days I just sit and do nothing. I appreciate that I get to make that decision without interruption and without others schedules to consider. I also realize that in 10-15 years this will sound ridiculous and selfish that I enjoyed an hour to myself, but for now, it is precious.
Last book you read that you couldn’t quit thinking about: I have 2. Bloom by Kelle Hampton and Carry on Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. Both books are written by bloggers that I enjoy following. And both gave me great insight about life in general as well as perspective on parenting. Perspective is such an important part of parenting in my opinion, just to know that others have the same thoughts and challenges, and to see how they navigated those things can shed a light on my current happenings.
Who’s your celebrity obsession? I have had a thing for Matthew McConaughey for many, many years. It’s okay, my husband is aware of this and somehow isn’t concerned.
What’s your go-to movie? I love the older Disney movies (Aladdin, Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid) I can recite every word and sing the songs and my children only seem to mind slightly.
What advice would you give to new parents? There will be days when all that you can do is get from one dirty diapers to a feeding and then back again, you will feel alone, and you will feel like you haven’t accomplished anything by the end of the day. But there are days when you look at this precious being(s) and realize that you did this, you created this person and you get to experience life (all of it, the ups and downs) with this amazing gift. That is when you will think back to the hectic days and remember that in midst of diapering and cleaning up fluids you DID accomplish something, and your something is incredible.
Anything else you’d like to add about being a working mother: I am acutely aware that my “daily” routine will change as my kids grow. What I consider busy now will be nothing compared to the busy that comes with 3 teenagers (pray for me). And that as quickly as this all changes, that means they are growing up and needing me less. I know it is coming and I know that realization will be bittersweet.
Lastly, I think all moms (working in the home or out of the home) need a network. Other moms, sisters, friends, coworkers, just a group pf people that you can talk to, vent to, and laugh with. Having that sounding board is truly therapeutic.
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| The Clan of Schwieso |
