How Does She Do It?

There is a new movie hitting theaters and mothers' guilt complexes across the country called "I Don't Know How She Does It".

Reality spoiler - she does not.

No. I have not watched the movie. But I have seen an extended sneak preview of the movie.

But if MY today is anything to go by -- "she" doesn't do it.

All.

At all.

I am one of the lucky ones.

I can choose to work. I can choose to leave my child in the care of others for the majority of the day. I can choose to pursue my passion and trust that my decisions will set the example for my child that a woman can pursue her dreams.

But that doe not mean that I have it all....

That it doesn't hurt.

I miss pediatrician appointments. I pretend at work that I don't have a child. I paid through the nose for the flexibility of a fabulous nanny so I could stay late at work without issue.

Now I obsess over the fellow mom's posting on the pre-school listserve that states she got 20 minutes with the teachers to see how her child is doing. Because she picked up her kid at the end of the school day.

My child goes on to aftercare because I am at work. I have no feedback from her teachers on how my precious 3-year old is adjusting.

Welcome to the world of the working mom.

So how do I do it?

Not well. Not without a heck of a lot of sleeplress nights.

I know that a happy child is best bred by a happy mom.

Am I happy?

Yes.

And no.

Today I paid unconditional homage to my job. I chose loyalty over self-ennhancement.

I gave up a couple of rather necessary good for me options for the thank goodness your employed necessities.

I do not need Hollywood to romanticize my life. Please let me know pronto if Sarah Jessica Parker was asked to get her hubby's permission before embarking on a business trip whilst pregnant -- and I'll drop my diatribe.

So how DOES she do it?

With a lot of help from her non-judgmenmtal friends and a whole lot of faith that what she is working for is worth it.