Being a mom is tough. But when you add a career to the mix – you’ve got a whole other level of busy that you can only hysterically laugh about it because crying won’t do any good!
One of my favorite funny work-related videos is called “A Conference Call in Real Life.” The video shows the real-life view of a virtual call including people who get kicked off the call (Todd, standing in the hallway), dogs barking in the background and people on mute indicated by their moving mouths with no sound coming from them juxtaposed with a room full of people looking confused by the silence.
A Conference Call in Real Life, while very funny, could have taken things a bit further, particularly when it comes to the mute button. Mute etiquette on conference calls guides users to mute their phones if there is excessive background noise. Many have abused the privilege for “multitasking” or being in two places at the same time.
The Mute Button
For me, when taking calls from home, I find it’s an absolute survival tool.
Let me explain. One evening, I had a call with our China team to present a case that required a decision around budget for trade show events. The time was 8 p.m. for me, 10 a.m. for the team in China. For those of you with small children, you know how terrible this time is but sometimes these things can’t be avoided (nor should they be).
My well laid plan was to have my middle child Katie (11 at the time) watch my little one Harper (2) while I was on the call. So far, so good. When it got closer to 8 p.m., I could see things were not going to go so smoothly.
Harper was in a bad mood and wanted “mommy.” Katie was doing her best but it was a real struggle. By five minutes into the call, with me presenting, I had an anxious toddler banging on my office door. I deftly passed off the conversation to my able teammate and quickly muted the phone. “Katie, give her a bath, that will distract her.”
Okay off goes the mute button.
Five more minutes. “Mom, she won’t go in the bath, she wants mommy.” Mute. “Okay KK, bring her in the office, she can sit on my lap. And make her a PB&J, she didn’t eat much this evening.”
Off mute…
Now I have Harper on my lap, naked from the bath attempt, much more content but really interested in playing with the computer. I am hoping I don’t get kicked off the WebEx or worse, mess up the presentation.
Mute
“Katie, when is that PB&J coming?”
By this time I was on mute as a default and only got off when I needed to answer a question or had something important to add to the negotiation process.
Then comes the PB&J for Harper and honestly, what was I thinking??
I have a naked two-year old on my lap eating a messy sandwich. Turns out she was much happier spreading peanut butter and jam all over my desk and keyboard.
Now it was time to lower my expectations to just hoping she didn’t pee on my lap before the call was over – highly unlikely as she also spilled water on herself down her belly and in between her legs.
Miraculously the call ended and we got the outcome we wanted with the tradeshow budget.
Harper did not pee on my lap and we continued our normal evening routine, albeit a bit later than I had hoped.
In Closing
I have to admit, while stressful, I don’t stress over these sorts of things. I just have to laugh and remember A Conference Call in Real Life. The truth is life is messy and unpredictable and there are ways around perfection that allow for progress and peace.
Sometimes it’s just a matter of creativity and tolerance.
Do you have a confession from the mute button you would like to share?
Yes, Yes, Yes!! I’m a work from home mom and while I try to plan everything for when my 2 oldest kids are in school, it’s inevitable that I have to do something while all three are home. It can get crazy sometimes but it’s not the end of the world and it’s an absolute blessing to be able to do it in the first place.
I couldn’t agree with you more! Even when I feel like pulling your hair out, at the end of the day, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 🙂
I have used the mute button a few times for similar reasons! My husband and I both work from home, so calls at inopportune times are a given with two young kids in the house.
The never-ending adventures of parenthood right? I think it’s great you and your husband both work from home. Having an extra hand makes it easier.
I’m not a parent so I’m not totally able to visualize this, but my brother is and often works from home. SHARING with him!
This made me laugh , I am glad it went well. I think when me and my boyfriend at the time we’re cuddling and I completely forgot I had a telephone interview and had to quickly research the company during the interview
Oh, gosh – I can just imagine all of this! I hope you can look back and laugh a bit – too funny and I can totally relate, but I can also just imagine it was anything but laughable when you were going through it! 🙂
Sometimes kids wants mommy’s love, but you have really nice supportive kids.
Omg the mute button really is everything. I remember my first confrence call years ago. I was so panicked until I realized there was a mute option.
I have been enjoying the work at home life for the past 6 years. It does have so many advantages, now my kids are grown, they know when I am working to stay far from my office.
I’m so guilty of having the mute button activated during calls.. because my crazy teens just talk and talk and talk. Sometimes I don’t want everyone hearing our crazy household.
Yes, I utilize that mute button quite often! It seems like it is inevitable that my two kids can be completely absorbed in an activity until I have to get on a call and then all of a sudden, I am urgently needed!
I’ve done telecamute stuff in past and it was extremely stressful for me. Now i’m a stay at home mom, but being on the phone with 4 little ones, is nearly impossible.
That was a funny story. i bet we all have some version of the mute experience in our memory bank. Some of it can be anxiety inducing
I also work from home. I have a three year old who doesn’t like my door shut. As I’m trying to troubleshoot security equipment, my daughter is banging at the door and telling, “Mama! I know you’re in there! Open the door!” Like I could hide from her anyways, she’s probably at hide and seek.