Career Moms

The buzzer goes off at 5 AM, and she pulls herself out of bed, knowing that she had just laid down to bed only two hours ago because of her sick 7-year old. Now, she had to get herself ready for one of the most important meetings in her career; get four little school-goers up and about; cook breakfast; make last minute preparations for her big meeting; Pray that her little sick one is feeling better, and maybe even throw in an extra wish that the child could go to school. But she knew better, and her list to do continued: Call a back-up to take her child to the pediatrician, and be able to baby-sit; "Oh, My Goodness! Check on the little sick one; And just as she topped the stairs she had to play referee to a tussle over a bike helmet. Note: Why a bicycle helmet? Who needs it right now, anyway? Right? Oh my goodness!

There are so many responsibilities that any person has in their life, if they're living. Excuse my frankness, but sometimes you have to be candid in order for it to touch a person, yaw feel me? But to make my point, it's hard on any average person, but it's even harder on our Career Moms. These are single mothers who are holding up a career and maintaining a family all by her lonesome. I know very well about this, because I was raised by one-My Mother.

And as far as I can remember, my mother made the best of her situation by creating responsibilities in me. I always had my cousins in the same household with me with their mom, my aunt; So, we all were given lessons on how to wash dishes, clean the house and our clothing, bodies...you know where that's going, and cook. We were being taught how to take care of ourselves, point blank. And as I think back, I'm so grateful that we had that sort of upbringing, because as I see the youth today, who only know how to 'cook' in the microwave, or just go to the nearest fast food restaurant, I fear that they will never re-discover those morals and values that come from being able to take proper care of themselves...and that's sad! But back to my point:

We have seen these career moms being portrayed in many television programs, sitcoms, series, movies and on screens, in music, and all around us! And it's such a precedent situation, until it's like it's not something to be put into the spotlight. Let me explain what I mean by putting the issue of women having to juggle a career and maintain a family, alone in the spotlight; I feel that these people who have to endure this and not by choice sometimes, should be recognized and applauded for being just that strong in character to withstand the trying times that comes with having to juggle their lives like that. There may be some out there who disagree, and you have your own voice and opinion....that's why I'm expressing mine!

It takes a very composed person to deal with the stress of holding down a job, let alone a career. And running a family/household is a job within itself. Not to mention, raising children; I know you don't want to dive into that scenario....I believe we'd be here for days, or even months! I'm laughing right now at the thought of some of the incidents that many of you would share. And, you keep running me away from my topic...STOP THAT! I'm smiling.

But from my past experiences, I've noticed and learned that the way my mother made it a bit easier was by having the children take on some of the responsibilities around the house. And not only that, but for them to learn how to keep their rooms and things clean, and to clean the house as well. A good tactic to help persuade the children may be allowance. I know it may sound like a bribe, but it's not actually. Look at it like this: Now the children can learn to manage money, budget...get them ready for the real world. It worked for us. My cousin Charles and I have always held jobs. I started my first job as a newspaper delivery person; I was around 8 or 9 years old then.

And another very important tool to help with this, is making sure that the children understand the importance of their education. I say this because if you have a parent that's working, usually they're not home when the children arrive from school; hence the children having to fend for themselves. But if your child knows the importance of their education, then they will be able to do their homework assignments by themselves. And then this leads me to yet another strong point: For your discipline rules to stick. So many times, a parent is afraid to leave their children at home like that because of fear that the house will be in shambles when they return. You have to build a trusting relationship within the family, where everyone knows what they are supposed to do, and everyone acts accordingly.

I believe if everyone participates and holds down their own responsibilities, the household would be taken care of. And then there's the career.

Many women have to deal with such diverse issues in the workplace, and this is a cause for mental breakdowns in itself; They have the fact that they are women-PERIOD!; and some even have to deal with issues of race, nationality or creed; along with the struggles of trying to progress within your job that it may soon become a career. The ladder of success is a tall one, and one must tread with decent measures. I say it like this because it goes to say that you have to take it one step at a time. Take things day-day and don't stress to much on things that may not have that much clout in your tasks. Keep your workloads to a comfortable status, and never allow your job to take you away from your family or even better, yourself. And the number one suggestion on keeping things balanced -and then I will end this, is make sure you do not take your aggressions from a hard day at work, home with you. We even see this in families with both parents, which is not a good thing.

If you keep everything in it's place, then all things will remain in it's place...Sounds strange? Well, take a deeper look into what it's saying. And tell me, if you are keeping a well-balanced life in the manner of family and career. Are you balancing things out in your life?