Words from Juliet

While sitting up in the lobby for journalism students with some fellow journalism majors, I brought up my blog topic for this week. One of the girls, Juliet Eby quickly stated "I definitely want to be a career mom." So of course, I immediately asked her if she would be willing to be interviewed about her opinion for this blog.

Juliet said she wants to be a career mom, mainly because she wants to have a career. This statement might sound obvious, almost redundant, but when she expounded on it, it really made a lot of sense. She said she wants to continue developing her talents by actually using them. Basically what our hypothetical "Rene" (in my last post) wanted. She didn't want to waste the time and money it took her to learn how to be a journalist. Or more specifically, a copy writer for an advertising agency (which is her desire after graduation.)

Her next reason made me laugh a little. "I don't necessarily want my kids to be stuck with me all day." She quickly clarified that that didn't mean she didn't want to be with her kids. The advice "everything in moderation" would probably be a good comparison.

Instead, Juliet would prefer that her children would be able to go to a daycare where they could play with other children besides their siblings. "I think they'd have more opportunities to explore, use their imaginations, and learn team work with other kids at an early age," Juliet said. She added that they would also learn to respect an authority outside the home from a young age.

Of course there are other reasons that women want to continue their careers after becoming moms.
I talked with several college friends who said they would prefer to be career moms over stay-at-home moms. "I'd go crazy if I were at home all the time" was the prevailing answer. "I can't clean and cook all day. My day has to be balanced out by something I love doing."

One friend said the main reason she would prefer to be a career mom is because she feels very strongly that God has called her to teach. And by working, she'd have different opportunities and certain influences that she wouldn't have as a stay-at-home-mom.

Juliet said the key to being a truly successful career mom is a good balance of home and family and the key to that balance is to always plan things with your family. Be intentional about it. "I think a big thing is to set aside time and have a plan for what you're going to do with your family," she said. Otherwise you probably won't ever get around to it. She suggests planning activities at home or just taking the kids out somewhere fun.

That's what some of these "most powerful (CEO) moms did." I really respect Andrea Jung, chair and CEO of Avon, and Katherine Krill, president, CEO and director of Ann Taylor, because they understand and put into practice the idea of balancing work and family.

Once, Andrea had the opportunity to visit the White House, but her daughter wanted her to come with her to school that day. Andrea made the choice by asking herself, "Years from now, who will remember where I was that day?" She chose to forgo the White House.

Katherine told Forbes that in order to get home in time to have dinner with her boys, she goes to work extra early each morning.

It takes discipline to leave your work at work, and focus solely on your family when you're at home. I greatly respect those who do it and do it well.