A friend of mine recently sent me an article called "The New Moms," by Cassandra Spratling of the Detroit Free Press. This article talks about a research study that details the ways that the current generation of new moms is different from those of past generations. I couldn't help but notice how much it seemed to parallel my own life...
Spratling describes the "new moms" as a group with growing power and influence (from careers to the marketplace). She also describes them as women who refuse to choose between a career and family, but who also won't knock themselves out trying to balance the two. They are also a savvy group of ladies who rely on a combination of internet (for information, community, online shopping, blogging, and running mommy websites), friends, and family to make it all run smoothly.
As I was reading this article I kept thinking, "This is me! I'm that new mom!" I'm a working mom - one that works from home about 90% of the time, and I'm in a career that I genuinely love. But, I'm also devoted to my family. Much like the moms in the article, I want my work and home life to be balanced, but I'm not about to knock myself out doing it. I try to make sure that I quit work at 5pm every night. I cook dinner a few nights a week. Other nights we order take out or eat frozen dinners.
I take advantage of the internet. Every time I find myself wondering about what is going on with my daughter (teething, potty training, nightmares) I either dive into a book or flip on the computer. I search for deals and hunt for the coolest toys on the internet. I started a blog about being a mommy! I'm a part of a few different communities online for moms of small children. But not all of my connections take place over the internet, we're also part of a real life play group as well. And unless I'm traveling for work, I make sure I tuck my daughter into bed every night. And I don't know where I'd be with out my good friends and family to support me. Fortunately for me, I wasn't like many of the "new moms" and I do have a wonderful husband to help me out. I'd be lost without his help and support. We are quite the team. I cook - he cleans. I stay up late with our daughter - he's up early when she wakes up with the sun.
While it seems that a balance has been struck, there are still those times that I feel overwhelmed. It's hard to try to be Wife of the Century, Mommy of the Year and Employee of the Month at the same time. So there are times that I snap at the husband (probably too many!), times where I let my daughter watch way too much television, and times where I don't quite give it my all at work. There's a lot of guilt too. When I'm at work, I feel guilty that I'm not spending time with my daughter. When I'm with my daughter, I feel guilty I'm not spending time working. And then I wonder when was the last time my husband and I had a conversation about something other than Elmo...
But at the end of the day, I wouldn't change a thing. I love being an imperfect, but happy mommy. :)
Spratling describes the "new moms" as a group with growing power and influence (from careers to the marketplace). She also describes them as women who refuse to choose between a career and family, but who also won't knock themselves out trying to balance the two. They are also a savvy group of ladies who rely on a combination of internet (for information, community, online shopping, blogging, and running mommy websites), friends, and family to make it all run smoothly.
As I was reading this article I kept thinking, "This is me! I'm that new mom!" I'm a working mom - one that works from home about 90% of the time, and I'm in a career that I genuinely love. But, I'm also devoted to my family. Much like the moms in the article, I want my work and home life to be balanced, but I'm not about to knock myself out doing it. I try to make sure that I quit work at 5pm every night. I cook dinner a few nights a week. Other nights we order take out or eat frozen dinners.
I take advantage of the internet. Every time I find myself wondering about what is going on with my daughter (teething, potty training, nightmares) I either dive into a book or flip on the computer. I search for deals and hunt for the coolest toys on the internet. I started a blog about being a mommy! I'm a part of a few different communities online for moms of small children. But not all of my connections take place over the internet, we're also part of a real life play group as well. And unless I'm traveling for work, I make sure I tuck my daughter into bed every night. And I don't know where I'd be with out my good friends and family to support me. Fortunately for me, I wasn't like many of the "new moms" and I do have a wonderful husband to help me out. I'd be lost without his help and support. We are quite the team. I cook - he cleans. I stay up late with our daughter - he's up early when she wakes up with the sun.
While it seems that a balance has been struck, there are still those times that I feel overwhelmed. It's hard to try to be Wife of the Century, Mommy of the Year and Employee of the Month at the same time. So there are times that I snap at the husband (probably too many!), times where I let my daughter watch way too much television, and times where I don't quite give it my all at work. There's a lot of guilt too. When I'm at work, I feel guilty that I'm not spending time with my daughter. When I'm with my daughter, I feel guilty I'm not spending time working. And then I wonder when was the last time my husband and I had a conversation about something other than Elmo...
But at the end of the day, I wouldn't change a thing. I love being an imperfect, but happy mommy. :)
