I kept hearing about this book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, but by the time I got home from work I was having a hard time finding time to read a book other than Brown Bear, Brown Bear or Green Eggs and Ham. I finally made the time, and am so glad that I did (well technically I listened to it, thank you audible!).

I just finished the book earlier this week and have been left with feelings of inspiration and comraderie. And a desire to share this book with other mom's! Instead of the sometimes daunting and overwhelming internal struggle of how am I going to keep juggling mom and work, I finally heard the empowering story of how Sheryl not only juggles being a mom and working outside the home, but thrives!

The work I do at home with my daughter Emma, is some of the most challenging and rewarding work I have ever done. I have such admiration and respect for people who dedicate their lives to raising and educating children, and am so thankful for my support system to help us with Emma. I treasure every moment with her, and race home at the end of the day to soak up more time with her. (And the few books I do find time to read, are often to help me learn how to take care of and teach her.)

I also greatly enjoy the work I do at work. I made the choice to continue working after having my daughter Emma, and I think she has helped me grow into a more compassionate and humble employee, coworker, and boss.  

I want to be someone Emma looks up to at home, and in whatever professional endeavors she wants to pursue. I want to contribute to the world. I want to lean in!

I completely agree with Sheryl that "we need more portrayals of women as competent professionals and happy mothers -- or even happy professionals and competent mothers." Everyone has to make their own choice and no one can or should judge you for choosing to work or stay at home with your children.

It was reassuring to hear hear say  “...parents who work outside the home are still capable of giving their children a loving and secure childhood. Some data even suggest that having two parents working outside the home can be advantageous to a child's development, particularly for girls.” Working outside the home negatively impacting Emma is my biggest fear, and so I need to hear that!

I also learned a lot from Sheryl about gender differences. I've always been bothered by statements about women and men naturally being more inclined to different skills, emotions, and behavioral traits. She opened my eyes to how these differences can be a really good thing and that acknowledging them is important! Those differences will however always be a bit tumultuous. While we strive for equality, no one wants to acknowledge that we are different especially at work. She said, “Anyone who brings up gender in the workplace is wading into deep and muddy waters. The subject itself presents a paradox, forcing us to acknowledge differences while trying to achieve the goal of being treated the same.” 

She shares how it is unfortunate, but true that, "Aggressive and hard-charging women violate unwritten rules about acceptable social conduct. Men are continually applauded for being ambitious and powerful and successful, but women who display these same traits often pay a social penalty. Female accomplishments come at a cost."

This is something I struggle with. I am a type A. I like to be in control, and I am abitious. And today you are reading my latest ambition. I want to help create a place where my mom friends and I can share our experiences and others can learn from them. So I've rallied together some other working moms and we are going to share our stories. We encourage you to share your stories and your feedback with us as well.

May I introduce to you workmamas.com. Stay tuned for more about our challenges, obstacles, struggles, and successes!