Q. “I don’t see mommy anymore,” my youngest announced today. Talk about an arrow in my heart. I didn’t realize how much she missed me. How can I explain to my two kids, ages 5 and 7, that I love them even though I work long hours?

Pamela: It’s a good idea to explain changes in schedule to loved ones ahead of time when you can. Sometimes we don’t do that because we feel guilty or we’re in denial. The truth is, not facing the facts ourselves can make it harder for our families. So we have to commit to communicating no matter how much we don’t like the reality of the situation. Remember, there’s a limited amount of information that a 5- or 7-year-old can understand. Try explaining your schedule in terms that they can relate to: “This week, Mommy will be staying at work past dinnertime.”

Make it clear what will happen in this new situation: “I will get home after your bedtime, but I will be here to make you breakfast.” This can help little ones feel that they’re in control. Increasing our communication when life feels overwhelming can seem like just another demand on our energy, but it actually makes things easier when so much is unpredictable.

Q. Networking makes me uncomfortable, but I know that now, more than ever, it’s important to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people. How can I get over my hesitation? Do I need to ask people out to lunch? I’m not sure I even know what networking is.

Mary Lynne: Networking is any activity that expands the number of people who get to know you, and know what you are up to: chatting in the cafeteria line; talking to new people at company events; telling people outside your area that you’d like to have lunch and learn about them and their function. Just realizing that building your network is important is the first big step toward getting out of your comfort zone.

Before you begin to engage in any of the myriad networking possibilities, you will want to change your belief around this practice. “Networking makes me uncomfortable” is not the belief that will position you for success. Beliefs are creative, not passive. We think beliefs reflect reality when in fact they help shape reality. The more you believe and think about how uncomfortable you are when networking, the harder it will be to do it. Try some of these beliefs instead: I enjoy learning about others, what they do and what interests them. I can then share what I’m doing. Many people with whom I have worked over the years were initially uncomfortable with networking. Once they got started taking a step at a time, adding one little success to another, they reaped its benefits, and so can you!

Send your career inquiries to editors@workingmother.com.

Mary Lynne Heldmann, a high-level executive coach, is a senior consultant at the Mark Cunningham Group.

Pamela Jennings, a performance coach, lives with her daughter in Greenwich, CT.