Fifteen years ago if you had asked me if I would be working for my mother I would have thrown my head back and laughed you. Seven years ago if you had asked me if I would have worked for my mother three times, been fired twice and quite once, again I would have laughed. Six months ago if you had asked me if I would be working for her now, enjoying the job, and getting along better with her before I started working for her this time around, again, I probably would have laughed at you.

Now I should probably explain seven years ago when I worked for her (and was fired twice and quit once) it was definitely an age and maturity level on my part (part may have been at her fault for being a new business and trying to grow her business and train a family member; but for the sake of my job and this post we’ll say the fault lays with me). I had not had real world experience and had not been in college long enough to know what a “real world” job was like. This time around, I have my degree and have been working in “real world” jobs for over 3 years and know what it takes to work in a business environment and be professional in the office.

I’ve been working for my mom for about month and a half now, and as an employee and the daughter, I’ve learned how stressful this job can be. From the employee standpoint I’ve learned how to be professional in the office and at meetings. From the daughter standpoint I’ve learned how to request things in a professional matter. At home I can use the “mommy I want this…” tone, but in the office I’ve learned that I need to use the “Mom, I’ve finished this task, what is next on my list” tone.

So far things are going well. I have not wanted to quit, nor has she wanted to fire me; that I know of; in the time I’ve been here. I hope we can keep our relationship strong here in the office, and at home and not drive my co-workers; or my dad insane with us working together.