I started this post earlier in the week and then got sid-tracked, but since then I have done some more thinking about it. Good post in Washington Post‘s On Balance this week about the surprises ife throws you. Most of us start out with a dream somewhere in our 20s and then in our 30s reality sets in. Life does change. Really, if you think about it, change is the only constant. So, at some point in life you have to figure out how to roll with it. In the post Leslie talks about parenthood and the effect it can have on your career – the effect it has when making career choices. To date, I have been fortunate. I truly love what I do and have an immense passion for the industry, so it makes working much easier. I didn’t say less stressful mind you, but easier. And I have to admit I am new to the parenting thing – I truly don’t think it’s been long enough for me to be able to draw any hard conclusions about how being a parent has or will effect my career. Right now all is good and that is all I have the capacity to really worry about. Sure, the every day stresses can get under my skin, like a last week when the daycare called to tell me my son had to get picked up because he was sick and I had a conference call in 30 minutes. That is stressful and not so fun. But, you know what? We figured it out – I thankfully have a great husband who understands I can not do it all alone and he is always supportive and we try our best to divide up these types of things. Anyway, those are some profound thoughts for a Friday. Busy day ahead, but maybe more to follow.
Leslie Morgan Steiner
Work Life Balance
An age old dilema – for some. I am fortunate enough to have almost figured this out at my ripe old age, but it doesn’t come easy. Good post in On Balance today, brings the issue to light. Can you teach work life balance? I don’t think so. And I don’t think you can place blame on your employer, or your kids, or your significant other or anything else. It’s a balance you have to stive for – and strike – if it’s important to you. And for a lot of us who are juggling a lot at once – striking the balance is key. It’s not easy, but you just have to know limits. You have to know your own limits and limits of those around you. It’s not easy, but something to keep striving for. Have a good weekend.
Justice! Well, in one article anyway….
This excerpt is so right on, that I had to past it in it’s entirety. Thanks for posting Leslie!
“The costs that women experience related to childbearing are greater the higher their level of education in terms of potentially lost income, promotions and opportunities for career advancement,” Koropeckyj-Cox said. “For men, however, fatherhood generally brings enhanced status and emotional benefits, with few if any costs in the labor market.”
Full text here: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/onbalance/2007/10/going_childfree.html
I feel wonderful just reading this, really. I have been saying this for years – and it always seems to fall on deaf ears. Well, folks here is the proof! I know, it’s one study – we have a long way to go, but by Golly, this makes my day! WOW. Great way to start the day.
PR, Babies and All The Rest 