Oh, boy! First of all, happy Feast of St. Joseph. I am using this day to think of ways to better appreciate and build up Snicks. He is such a good husband and dad - I really am a lucky gal.
Speaking of Snicks, he has been accepted without funding to two PhD programs - one in a state who's bird is the Common Loon and the other in a state where baseball players wearing purple hit balls further. Sorry for the riddles, but I don't want to type them out... (I am being weirdly secretive, sorry).
Anywho, in the past five days I have submitted my resume, had a phone interview, and been invited for an on-campus interview for a position at the school in the state with the purple baseball jerseys. I had no idea that the process would move so quickly otherwise I would have waited to apply. Regardless, we already had plans to visit campus during the first full week of April and now I will have a FULL BUSINESS DAY INTERVIEW with them. That's all fine and dandy, but I am pretty sure that my boobs will EXPLODE if I don't pump at least once. So... I haven't mentioned that I have an infant; it was a big step for me to mention I even have a husband - I just feel like that is information they can learn after they evaluate me on a professional level. But there really is no way that I could make it through the day and remain focused without pumping. An administrative assistant will be contacting me at the start of the week to make arrangements - what should I do?
I can wrap my head around requesting time to pump (although I really don't like the prospect of mentioning this), but what do I do with the pump? And where will I actually pump? Eeek! Any advice you can give will be hugely appreciated!!!!
I am thankful that it seems as though something may be coming together. We are praying hard for funding!!!
EDITED - Here is a draft email that I am considering sending to the assistant:
Dear M,
Hello! It has been nice to speak with you a few times in the past week when making arrangements for the phone interview with V and A. A called me on Friday to request an on-campus interview when we visit the area at the start of April. She said that you will be working on a schedule for the day and will be in contact with further details. Just in case you have most of the day arranged before we speak, I would like to make a request. I have an almost three-month old daughter, A, and will require about a half hour in the middle of the day so that I can pump. I realize that this is a bit of an awkward request and appreciate your help. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. Thank you.
All the best,
Christina
8 comments:
I worked in a Career Center and helped with interviews for a few years. Let me think about this for a sec-I'll get back!
Can you ask if they have a "mother's room" available? We have those at our work and they might have them there. Umm...I have no idea where purple jerseys for a baseball team is...hmmm....BUT come on - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE come back to MN!!!!!!!!! I would love to be closer to you guys.
I'm no help since my former line of work was not family-friendly at all, but your email sounds good.
Your secret is safe! I have no idea about either place, but I wish you the best wherever you end up.
Your email sounds perfect to me! I'm sure they can make an exception. Also, you'll get a lunch break too right? Maybe they can just extend it? Also, can you get a nice bag to carry everything in? Like a nice black bag? I'm not sure what to call it. But something that will hold everything. Praying this is a great interview!!!
I have pumped in a handicapped restroom with a Koala Care changing table that I could set my pump on while I stood. I dumped the milk in the toilet and brought plastic bags and paper towels so that I didn't have to worry about cleaning anything in a sanitary location--I just had to get it home without making a mess. It wasn't ideal, but it worked. I also once hand expressed milk into paper towel in a bathroom, b/c I was so full it was easy to get it to let down and at that point I knew I only had an hour or two until I was back with baby so I didn't have to drain everything. I think your e-mail sounds good and your request is more than reasonable. If they don't respond well, this may be a sign of a work environment that you don't want to be a part of longterm! Prayers to you!
I think your email sounds great. If I were you, I would want to pump more than once. I mean, I know I would be exploding and possibly even leaking. NOt to mention more susceptible to mastitis. They will figure something out for you, its their job and I am sure they would be happy to. If your pump is like mine, it is in a backpack and easy to leave where you start and end your day, back with the assistant you are emailing maybe? I hope you are lucky to have the freestyle pump, but if you are like me then you need to be sure to specify that you need access to an outlet. I think it is totally fine you are asking and she will find you a nice discreet empty office or something :) good luck! praying for funding for Snicks. It is a MUST!
I have nothing on the pumping. BUT I did figure out the Common Loon thanks to Google. No clue on the other one! More hints!
Id bring a hand pump and. Just pump when you Can throughout the day. Breastmilk is fine at room temperature for 9 hours so just bring a little container to collect it in. Do you have a big purse? Just rinse out the pump and stick it in your purse. I've gone 6-8 hours without pumping a few times
Didn't feel that Great but its doable! Good luck!
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