"Being a working mom is not easy. You have to be willing to screw up at every level." Jami Gertz
Jami Gertz was a popular actor in the 80's and 90's. I don't know if she is recognized as being a great scholar. However, this quote is spot on. You'll never succeed if you're not willing to take a chance. Being a working mom is an exercise in humility. You have so many balls in the air that you can't help, but be afraid that you might drop one. And once you think that you have mastered the juggling act, something else comes up!
Working Moms Rise the Occasion
I was talking to a mom today who was offered a promotion when her second child was only four weeks old. What did she do? She took it. Why? She wanted it. That was four months ago. And while she is still trying to figure out how to make it all work, she's happy that she did.
I was offered the opportunity to become an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law while I was on maternity leave. My mind raced. I was scared. I hadn't returned to work yet. I wondered how I could take on one more responsibility. What did I do? I took the position. Why? I have always wanted to teach at a law school and it's usually hard to get a gig. In this case, I was at home cooing with my baby and trying to master breast feeding and someone called and offered me a job. I bet that will never happen again in my life.
Can Women Have it All?
My point isn't that I'm a super mom or that the other mom has an "S" on her chest under her blouse. My point is, opportunities are offered to working moms. And sometimes we need to say "yes" in order to understand what we're capable of. We may just impress ourselves. That being said, you may question my sanity after you watch the video below and hear about what I have been up to...
