First, thank you so much for all the valuable information everyone posts on this board. I've been reading for sometime.

Is it possible to be a working mom, and still "break" my 3 1/2 year old daughter in the business? We received a call from Osbrink, and will be meeting with them soon.

I've read that many auditions for children are after school hours. If true, this would be a great help as I happen to work in education and my daughter is in preschool. The drive up to LA would be about 50 min. to a hour.

OC2LA,
If you are flexible, available and organized it is possible to work and have a kid in the biz. I work and have 3 kids in the biz. Sometimes I even travel. Fortunately, both my partner and I take kids to auditions, and we have a nanny who helps. For you, being in education is a plus as your work hours will most likely fit well with audition times - auditions must take place between the hours of 3pm - 6pm. I won't lie though and say that the biz would never impinge on your job or the kid's schooling. It still might be necessary to miss some work, and, if your kid ends up getting very busy (probably not likely before the age of 5) you would end up having to miss work or leave work early on occasion. Even though our commute to NYC is just 30 mins, our oldest still ends up leaving school early 3-5 times a week to accommodate a busy audition and work schedule and we end up supplementing her schooling with unofficial home schooling (a special situation we've worked out with the principal and her classroom teacher) so that she keeps up with her class. Hope this info is helpful. ...and welcome to the board!

Thank you kipmil and Alina, I'm trying to get a feel for what I can expect. The information is helpful and gratefully appreciated. One step at a time, right?

You absolutely can do it! Many people on the East coast live well over an hour from the city and they get in. Osbrink is one of the best in the business and your DD is in the sweet spot as far as age is concerned. Don't let this great opportunity pass you by! Having help like a mother or mother-in-law that can bring her to auditions once in a while would also be a plus. Good luck!

Hi OC2LA and welcome!

It can be done. Many families somehow make it work. I know it's a bit harder in So.Cal since we don't have the public transit system like on the east coast, but if you are planning (I'm guessing by your name) doing the drive from the OC, try to be on the road by 2:30, 3:00 at the latest. Traffic has become much worse in the last few years. I've been doing the drive from that area for over 12 years. It took me 2 1/2 hours the other day when I made the mistake of leaving at 3:30, although that was without using the carpool lane since it was just me, in addition to there being accidents on all of my alternate routes. That's not always the case, though. I'm just giving you a heads up. You also may not be as far south in the OC as I am. Everyday is different, you just have to plan ahead. (Sorry I rambled on)

Enjoy your time with Osbrink. They're good people. I hope you get a chance to meet with others, too. That just lets you get a good feeling of which would be the right fit.

Good bless the carpool lane - it has saved me more than one time!

And yes...you can do this. Is it easier without a job?? Absolutely, but it's still doable and it does help if you have a support system of grandparents or friends that you trust to help out when needed.

A job that understands when you might have to cut out early is also a plus but not everyone is that fortunate.

I am constantly amazed and inspired by the moms on the board who have two and three kids and still make it work, because to me that is like having two and three jobs on top of a job outside the home.

Know what you want for your daughter and pursue it. This board is a great place to help you be prepared for the little issues you might face if you decide to do this for your child.

And everyone is right, Osbrink is a respected agency so you're already off to a good start.

Good luck!

Ladies you are terrific! I feel more confident now.