When Mom Brings Work Home

Feel bad about bringing work home? If it's unavoidable, then make the most of it. Your good work habits can influence your kids' sense of self, and make them more motivated.

A new report released by the Families and Work Institute reveals that children of working mothers have an advantage in several areas: they have higher math and reading achievement levels, enjoy higher self-esteem, and report a greater emphasis on independence in their homes. "Kids learn positive lessons by watching their mothers operate in the outside world, taking action, exerting influence, making decisions, and using their talents," says Ellen Galinksy, president and cofounder of the Families and Work Institute.

Working moms teach their kids all kinds of lessons:

Good work habits. "If I have to do paperwork at night, my two kids and I sit at the dining room table and do our homework," says Joanna Walstad, a high-school teacher. Your kids learn from watching you. You may do extra work at night to get ahead. Talk about the goals you have for yourself at work, and what you need to do to reach them. When you reach a goal, share your excitement with your kids. You'll reinforce the idea of the value of hard work.

Organization. "My kids know that I have to be at work at a certain time," says Kim Peterson, a loan officer. "When we leave in the morning, we run through our mental checklist. Does everyone have everything he or she needs for the day? We help each other to remember."

Ease with technology. You may not call yourself a "techie," but you do know how to operate the office equipment. If you use computers, fax machines, and email at work, you can teach your kids about technology. Encourage your kids to send you emails while you're on a business trip or at your office.

Sometimes we fail. So your firm didn't get a big contract. When you talk about a conflict or disappointment at work, and how you resolved it, your kids can see that even though you were disappointed, you found a way to cope.

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