a real life mom @ work A Real Mom@Work: Cheri Kaufman Her Dream Career At sixteen, Cheri Kaufman was singing in a country variety show and dreaming of becoming a star. Her dream would eventually take her all the way to Nashville, but she isn't exactly famous. "God had other plans," she says. After college, Cheri accepted a job that focused on the business side of music and fell in love with it. Cheri's job isn't what she'd planned, but she couldn't have dreamed it up herself. As the full-time Manager for the Christian music group "Point of Grace", as well as the Conference Director for their Girls of Grace conferences, she is close to the music industry and passionate about her job, which can be hectic at times. Behind the Scenes Cheri's behind-the-scenes job is fast-paced. "I'm fortunate," she says. "The people I work with are very supportive of my responsibilities as a mother." Several of the company's clients are also working moms, so they understand the importance of family. She also gets support from her husband, Lance, who works for a major Christian non-profit organization, but he's just as busy as Cheri. "We really have to lean on each other," she says. Cheri and Lance have a daughter, Sydney, who is in preschool and also a little girl on the way. Because their jobs are high-profile, Cheri says managing their family priorities is a challenge. Extra Support In order to gain extra support, Cheri says they are active in their church and befriend other working couples who are parents. "We're starting to have a few more date nights," explains Cheri. "We need those." Occasionally, Cheri gets creative and calls in family members from out of state to travel to her home and help out with Sydney. "Our families are amazing," she says. "I think whatever you do and wherever you live, you have to lean on family for help. They are the greatest gift God has given us." Why it's Worth it: A Real-Mom Q&A with Cheri Moms @ Work caught up with Cheri Kaufman and she was nice enough to answer some questions about Girls of Grace, parenthood, and working outside the home. M@W: You mentioned you coordinate the Girls of Grace conferences for Point of Grace. Moms @ Work founders, Cindy and Lisa, attended one of those conferences and loved what it did for the attendees. For those visitors who aren't familiar, what are the conferences for? Cheri: The Girls of Grace conferences are weekends for teenage girls. These conferences encourage them with their walk with Christ, teach them about modesty, encourage them about relationships with friends and basically are a fun weekend for teens to be encouraged to be a Girl of Grace; and also to just have some great fun worshiping the Lord. M@W: What is your role in the conferences? Cheri: My role for 2006 is the Conference Director. I love what the conferences do for teenage girls. There is nothing more powerful than looking out at an audience of 3,000 girls and seeing them worship Christ and come together as sisters. This is something I want to see my daughter at one day. M@W: How do you handle childcare when you travel to the conferences? Cheri: My husband is amazing. He makes sure he doesn't travel when I attend a GOG conference. M@W: How do you find time to be with your hubby during particularly busy times? Cheri: It can be difficult. Time is rare, but we make it work. We just make sure we keep our daughter on a schedule with bedtime so we can have our evenings together. M@W: How did you stay close to your daughter when you travel? Cheri: I call her every day - sometimes twice a day. I also make sure that when I am home it's ALL about my daughter! I make no plans with friends or family during these times. M@W: What do you do to prepare for business trips? Cheri: At home, preparation is a little hectic. While my husband is more than capable I always try to remember that motherhood is a little different than fatherhood. It always helps Lance if I pick our daughter's clothes out for the days I am away. This includes outfit, socks and even the hair bow. I also make Lance a list of things not to forget. For instance our daughter's vitamins, any medications she might be on and even reminders concerning preschool. M@W: What do you love about your career? Cheri: I love people! I love helping people and I REALLY love music. I feel like I get it all in one big package. M@W: You are expecting another baby! Are you nervous about how pregnancy and a new baby will affect your family? Cheri: Absolutely, I have days I am stressed about how we will pay for child care, how we will manage time. I know God will work the situation out. He wouldn't have blessed us with another child without a plan. M@W: Are you nervous about how pregnancy will affect work? Cheri: Not at all! God First, Family Second then Work. I always try to remember that. M@W: You said you put family before work. What is your favorite thing you do with your family? Cheri: We love to go to the park as a family. Take our lunch, spend time playing. We also are huge movie buffs. A good movie at home or in the theatre with popcorn is a blast. M@W: Is it worth it? Working, that is? Cheri: Yes. Even though there are days that I think I can't go on working I am always encouraged when I get to my job and dive into what I love. I also find that my little girl and I are very close because of this. Our evenings are priceless! We have constant play time as a family. I also want my children to develop a work ethic. There are no guarantees to what the future holds. To me, a career path is important in the planning of any future. M@W: What is your favorite verse? Cheri: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "What this means is that those who become new Christians become new persons. They are not the same. The old life is gone, the new life has begun!" When I moved to Nashville over 9 years ago I rededicated my life to Christ. That is when I met my husband Lance. This is my favorite verse because this is exactly what I felt and still do today. M@W: Do you have a support system? Cheri: Absolutely! I have great friends. I have single friends and also other Moms whose husband's travel. It is nice to be able to support each other. My church community group is also very supportive and helpful. More than that, my family is amazing; all the way from my Sister to my Mother. I have great communication with mine and Lance's family. There is great support in that. My own Mother is amazing. I learned a lot from her because she never missed a beat. Along with my Dad she seemed to be at nearly EVERYTHING my siblings and I were involved in. M@W: What advice do you give other working moms? What about those who are not where you are at yet and have less flexibility? Cheri: As my sister said to me once, "Keep God in the driver's seat". That has stuck with me during busy stressful times. Try to turn your work off when you leave the office and make sure what you are doing is for the purpose of Christ. > back