Wow, being back at work with a tiny little baby is a challenge! It was hard when I did it the first time eight years ago and it's still hard today. But in some ways, working fast during those precious naps clarifies the mind. I've also found a few other benefits:
1. I've been forced to upgrade my technology (if you know me in real life, you know that only something momentous like a baby can make me do that). My hands hurt from hauling around a wiggly girl, so I bought an iPad and have started dictating translations using Siri. Oh my goodness, Siri is one smart app! But as I mentioned last year, I've had to face the fact that I don't think in straight lines when translating. Old habits are hard to break, but I'm optimistic about dictation for certain types of work.
2. Did you know that breastfeeding is good for your mind? In those first months, I plowed through dozens of books - thick classics I'd been meaning to read since college - while breastfeeding my baby. I've also gotten a lot of professional reading done, including articles and a couple of new books on finance and the stock market.
3. This is an intangible, but I feel smarter overall. Having a baby in the house means you're always on your toes and constantly multitasking. If there was a multitasking muscle, right now I bet I could get mine on the cover of some bodybuilding magazine! Here's an example: I just translated a power of attorney while listening to a presentation by Marian Greenfield and knitting a sweater for the baby that inspired this post. Not too shabby.
Anyone else feel like your kids make you smarter?
1. I've been forced to upgrade my technology (if you know me in real life, you know that only something momentous like a baby can make me do that). My hands hurt from hauling around a wiggly girl, so I bought an iPad and have started dictating translations using Siri. Oh my goodness, Siri is one smart app! But as I mentioned last year, I've had to face the fact that I don't think in straight lines when translating. Old habits are hard to break, but I'm optimistic about dictation for certain types of work.
2. Did you know that breastfeeding is good for your mind? In those first months, I plowed through dozens of books - thick classics I'd been meaning to read since college - while breastfeeding my baby. I've also gotten a lot of professional reading done, including articles and a couple of new books on finance and the stock market.
3. This is an intangible, but I feel smarter overall. Having a baby in the house means you're always on your toes and constantly multitasking. If there was a multitasking muscle, right now I bet I could get mine on the cover of some bodybuilding magazine! Here's an example: I just translated a power of attorney while listening to a presentation by Marian Greenfield and knitting a sweater for the baby that inspired this post. Not too shabby.
Anyone else feel like your kids make you smarter?
