Happy International Women’s Day!
I spoke about this on the radio this morning; but I wanted to have it here as well. This is a collection of my thoughts; being a working mom of 3.
Being a woman is hard; that's not new we all know that.
Being a working woman in my experience has been an especially hard balance.
I came back after all 3 maternity leaves earlier than the typical 12 month leave here in Canada. And I got questioned for it to no end. Even from my co hosts I had comments "well I would’ve taken the full 12 months". This is a position and a hard spot no man is ever put in. Many of us want to be mothers but do we have to give up our career dreams to do so? Or do we have to - at the very least - put them on hold? Oh we should be grateful to have a family and yes that's a fair point. But would a man leave his job for 12-18 months without question? Some might but many would not.
Personally, I've always said I'm a better mother when I'm working. It's easy to brush it off and say “oh I would love to stay at home all day”. But until you're in that position; you can't really say what you would do. Being a stay at home mom is the toughest job out there. Those aren't words I'm throwing away. I mean them. To those that do it day in and day out- that's the REAL work.
When Im asked why I came back early or why I still work with 3 kids at home I have felt like I have to justify my position by saying" well I still am home every day at noon so its different" . But WHY do I have to say this? Why cant I have the best of both worlds to me be enough?
I'm not asking you all this - I’m asking myself.
From a radio perspective its a tough balance too…..
Be relatable but don't make it about you
Show your life...but for the love of god don't show too much
Laugh and support your cohosts but don't be a laugh track
Stand your ground but don't be a B* about it
Be a boss but don't go after things too aggressively
Use your voice but don't let it be shrill
Be happy but not too happy
and be careful about how many exclamation marks you use. Never be too excited
I appreciate what I have at home while at the same time appreciating what I have away from home. The take away for me and I hope for you this International Women’s Day...is that what works for you and your family IS ENOUGH . Easy to say ; harder to believe. But I'm working on it & I hope you are too.
xoxo Jacks