Chaton's World: A Working Mom's Quest for Balance in Stilettos©

Toddler at Disney As you know, I was selected to visit Disney World and go on a Disney Cruise as part of an invitation only conference. (For more information, click here .) Here are some initial comments about my trip. Most people write about the characters,rides, and parades that make Disney magical. I won't lie, those are AWESOME and I'll likely share some specific thoughts about them. That said, one of the things that I think makes Disney special is that it takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary...

Me with my kids one day From a statistical perspective, "women now make up half of all workers in the United States, with nearly 4 in 10 homes having a mom that is also a working mother." AmericanProgress.org From a practical perspective, that means that a lot of mothers have a lot on their shoulders and are questioning their performance. Many working moms are perfectionists. Even when we fall short, we tend to believe in a perfect working mom ideal. We believe that there is a working mom out there who always has her s- -t together. We may have even seen her at meetings. She likely has perfect hair, designer clothes and shoes without scuffs in them, never fights with her husband, has perfect kids, and manages to get out of the door every day without any stress. We compare themselves to that ideal and because in our heart of hearts, we believe that it exists. And we are putting more effort into the working mom thing than we have put into anything in ou

Beyoncé (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) I missed the Grammy's because I was traveling. However, I have heard all about it via social media. Here's what I have heard. Working moms were the focus of the show. Adele had a pitch problem. And Beyoncé sang in her pregnant glory.  She also allowed herself to be tilted back in a chair that inspired a meme that read, "I wish that I trusted anything as much as Beyoncé trusted that chair…" Yo B, I get your commitment to your art, but be safe!

I think my son has a thing for Snow White... Last week I attended the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. It's an invitation only conference that I have had the honor of attending twice. (For more information about the conference, click here .) And it was AWESOME!!! There will be other posts explaining why the conference rocks, extolling how Disney is the most magical place on earth, and the unexpected events that made the trip unforgettable. In the meantime, enjoy these few photos. And if you're curious, ask me why my son isn't wearing any pants in the above photo--I dare you!

A smile, the goal every morning As you know, I work full-time as an attorney. I have done this the entire time I've been a mom. I actually worked right up until I delivered my kids. My colleagues and I are lucky I didn't deliver at my desk! So, I have been in the trenches. And, I have learned a great deal. One thing I have learned from comments to my blog and coaching is that many working moms--even those who "have it together"--struggle to get out of the door each day.

To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world. —  Walter E. Disney , July 17, 1955 [5] [6] [7] [8] Our country has been divided since the election last fall. And since President Trump's inauguration, Facebook has been flooded with comments about the controversial things that have happened. Like all of you, I have been thinking, lamenting, ad discussing really heavy things lately. I have no great insight. The quote above from Walt Disney is a reminder that America is the product of people who have believed in its promise and have united to create a better life. In a word, life is a gift. Each day that we are blessed with life we should celebrate anyway. And I hav

Working moms like to party like everybody else, perhaps even more if the portrayal in “Bad Moms” is accurate. (If you’re curious about that, here's a link to post about my recent trip to Miami!) That said the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons are playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday night, which is effectively a school night. For that reason, most working moms will probably be watching the game at home instead of lugging their kids through the cold, disrupting their routine, and making their Monday morning hell. If you choose to disrupt your schedule in pursuit of Super Bowl fun, no judgment.

My kids one day after school... "I was in New York in the snowstorm last night 'cause I wanted to maximize time with my children,"  Drew told  E! News . "I have a job to do but I chose to be a parent first and I swear to God the priorities paid off, my karma—we got on the plane and JetBlue got me right here. And it was all good. And I played in the snow with my kids all day." On Sunday I was watching the E! Red Carpet show that preceded the Golden Globes. I was expecting to see celebrities and get fashion tips. I was not expecting to get a lesson in how to balance my responsibilities as a working mom.

At The Delano Hotel