Explaining Interviews to Children of Different Ages

My children run the gamut of ages, and between being outside of the operating limits of summer camp and a virus that is running through our home, more of them were home with me than I would've liked during my interview. (Lesson learned - leave the house during an interview).

I spent some time getting everyone set up to be happily on technology prior to the interview, (but spoiler alert I still ended up getting interrupted).

I fed my 5 month old and left her with my husband who was also sick.

My two year old is in daycare - Yay!

My five year old heard that I had an interview and his eyes glazed over, so I told him that I had a really important meeting and that if I impressed the people, I'd be able to buy him even more snacks. "More snacks?" he said, with wonder. "Yes, more snacks" I replied. "So please sit here with my phone and watch Octonauts."

My eight year old apparently was to invested in his video games to hear that I had an interview at all, and ended up walking into my office in his underwear while I was on zoom with the panel.

My eleven year old and thirteen year olds asked questions. I let them know that it would be a new job, a promotion, with more money and some financial freedom to do fun stuff. Both of them are about to get their intro to budgeting talk. I envision that it will be a chance for them to learn how actual homes run and how large sums of money are not actually as large as they seem once bills hit. They knew, and thankfully, did not bug me.

To my husband, I entrusted the kids. All of them sternly warned not to interrupt me. Then I went into my office, locked the door, and started getting setup for the meeting.

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Kristian is a mom of six, Program Manager by day, active Professional Photographer by trade, and a big believer in finding beauty in the everyday chaos.

Life in our house is loud, messy and full of literally everything. Love, noise, laundry, laughter, and definitely could use a bit more grace. I'm happily married to my best friend, grounded in my Catholic faith, and fueled by five to six hours of sleep per night and adrenaline.

I try to find joy in the everyday — even when it's wild, because without the little bit of joy, this life would be unbearable. This space is for the moms in the middle of it all: the ones juggling family, faith, work, and wonder. The ones that need someone else's messy life to make their own seem better or somewhat normal. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Welcome to Six Sweet Smiles — where we celebrate the mess, the miracles, and everything in between.