I know because I have decided it’s time to reenter the workforce.
I figure as long as I’m getting back on the career track, I’ll do something big. What? Is that skepticism I see in the eyes of prospective employers? Even at places that proclaim to offer women that elusive work/life balance? My old crown may be dulled, but my mind isn’t. My old business cards are long gone, but the skills aren’t. In fact, they have increased. I can now juggle better than most, and far better than I ever thought possible in myself. Just because I took time off from a paycheck didn’t mean I took a vacation from reading, brainstorming, thinking, dreaming.
I hear voices.
Is it my mother again? “Don’t doubt yourself. You had tremendous skills and business success before you had kids; your children have dulled neither your brain nor your instincts. Go, be part of a movement to change the working world so that smart women can opt back in with ease, with grace.” No, that isn’t the voice of my mother. It’s the voice of this mother.
This once-proven media princess, once on the way to being crowned queen. Myself. I believe in me. I simply need to find better ways to convince others of those facts. New realities in our lives warrant a new movement, and a voice to go with it. I want to be part of a new “wave”—one that turns our shared thoughts and discussions into ACTION. The conversations are universal, among working and stay-at-home moms. They are taking place everywhere: in the pre-school parking lot after we drop off our children; at Starbucks; on the soccer field; and yes, at the water cooler and in the boardroom. No matter which side of the fence you’re on, the challenges are equally great. So what is all the talk about?
Since 1963 and Friedan’s vision for women, we’ve turned heads. Yes, we’ve come a long way, baby! We have learned to be exceptionally good in the workplace; we have learned to be exceptional mothers. We have enjoyed both worlds. Some of us have learned amazing skills at balancing the two together, and almost guilt-free. We have earned not only the right but also much respect for taking the off-ramp to raise a family. Sadly, we have not yet found a clear roadmap for that steep on-ramp after getting those children to school age.
