Its a boys club. In general, having a career as a mom is like trying to navigate in a all boys club. I get it, I can do anything. I love the fact that in my industry, very few women make it. But, I take to heart that I do get "beat" in the career game by others in my field...because I am Me mom and woman warrior. I carry the weight of my mom guilt. It makes it so hard to climb up that corporate ladder. Yes, we can do anything, but come on, what AREN'T we sacrificing? We are sacrificing our family. Plain and simple.
How do you do it? When you have the undying drive to GO... be the best...not be ordinary, be successful. If I hear a someone say "BALANCE" one more time I will go to the market. Because it is a myth.Just like jeans that make you skinny or fat free lava cake. You can't balance. Is it REALLY meant to be a balance? Are we really supposed to spend 50% of our time at work? Really? Really? ( Bonus points if you count all of the reallys')Our lives just aren't work and family.....or they shouldn't be. Right? Easier said than done.
Its like a boys club. I have a monthly meeting with others in my industry. The fellas gabbed about what fellas gab about (my hubby included) football, golf , bets... . They were all set for a nice lunch and golf after the meeting. Making sure to solidify golf and baseball game plans for the rest of the week. I don't have time for it. How guilt stricken would I feel if I took my afternoons to golf and not be with my kids instead? In and out. In my professional career I have NEVER heard any male co worker say " I hope that my career doesn't hurt the emotional balance of my children" I am not dogging men. Palease....not at all. What I am dogging is the mess that this all is. The deterioration of the family. The HEAVY guilt moms feel for just doing what is expected of them. For trying not to do too much or not to excel too much as to put their childrens emotional state in jeopardy.
Today on XM Catholic radio, I heard (Matthew 25:14-30). All about talent. God gave us ALL talent.Some more than others. To use and to multiply. I feel in my gut, that on most days, I really am making a difference in other peoples lives by continuing to work. Would I be squandering my talent away if I did not continue with my career? If I did nothing with the "gifts" God has given me. God has given me this career. Most of the time I am good at it. I consider it a talent. Its so hard. I long to be with my kids. I do want to help others. I AM LUCKY TO BE EMPLOYED. I plan to stay that way. I'm just saying, we have got to be real. Women can do. But how do we do it all?
