The Kids Are All Right

So, I'm 47 years old and have never had any children. I have lots of kids in my life, and I'm good with them. It's not as if I'm some Auntie Mame that never really wanted to deal with the little creatures. Details of my life conspired against me in this arena, but it's all ok. I like and respect the little friends and they seem to feel the same way about me.  

But no kids brings up something in an office where  I'm old enough to be just about everyone's mother. What is that something? It's that over arching feeling that you ARE their mother. Motherhood may not be your destiny but it will find you, in some form or fashion.

Look, the amazing people that work for and with me do not need or want a mother. It's just the weird and inevitable phenomena that accompanies someone that has, by and large, a nurturing spirit. So, on a daily basis I try to balance the "I'm older than you and know best and want to protect you from the pitfalls of life" (lol) with sound management.

How do I do that?

1) Remember what it was like when I had to answer to someone who always felt like they knew more than I did (boring and deflating)

2) Remember, sadly, that they are LIGHT YEARS more mature than I was when I was their age

3) Remember that boundaries are CRITICAL for good management no matter how "creative" the environment

4) Remember that after all, what they really want is a fair boss and a raise

Working on the raise. Lol!