Working Moms: One Big Happy Family

 

Misery loves company.

It’s certainly true if you’re a working mother.

For all the joys of parenthood – the snuggling when they are little, the standing ovation at their second grade chorus concert, and the pride of that diploma -- there are many significant, heart-palpitating, breath-stopping, anger-provoking, guilt-inducing, life-shortening incidences throughout that eighteen years that only other working mothers can relate to.

I was reminded of this when I somehow successfully carved an hour out of my Saturday to have lunch with three friends, also working moms.  For five years we experienced the ups and downs of pee-we hockey together, cheering on our sons from butt-freezing, wooden benches in rinks across New England.  The boys, now 15, have built a decent friendship.  But the bond between us hockey moms will remain super-glued for eternity. 

After ordering a round of martinis, the girls started in:

-       Over the summer, I feel like my son’s alone too much during the day

-       My ex won’t drive the kids to camp

-       My husband and I both work full time—so why does he assume I can leave my job when my son needs to be somewhere?

I must admit, it feels oddly comforting to hear others complain, echoing my own challenges and frustrations.  Suddenly, I am not alone battling to raise a decent kid while helping to pay the bills. In fact, I realize there are many others who feel that gut-wrenching tug between home and work.

And so begins this blog, Meetings, Obligations & Motherhood (MOM).  It’s a dumping ground for my experiences, mistakes, fears and lessons learned. And hopefully for yours, too (posted with or without a Martini in hand).

Welcome. Let's share and work through these issues together.