Strawberry Basil Margaritas

I thought that might get your attention!

Wednesday, July 3rd, my first afternoon of vacation.  I was looking forward to meeting two friends for some catching up, conversation and, of course, for a cocktail.

We laughed, we “you’re kidding me’d” through conversation, we compared parenting notes.  I needed a sounding board and I knew these two would be perfect.  I have been struggling with balancing work and being a mom.  I have a supportive husband who is so helpful and involved, but who also works on the other side of the state.  I have this self imposed pressure to be able to “do it all.”  Are capes a part of the fall collection this year?  Darn!

I want to excel at my job, just as much as I want to stay home with my kids.  I love where I work, just as much and I would love to stay home with my kids.  I feel fortunate to do what I do, just as I would feel fortunate to stay home with my kids.  The more we talked, the more I heard that I wasn’t alone.  These two moms who I was so happy to be spending time with, went through or were going through the same thing.

The conclusion we came to is that the need to “have it all” or “be it all” is this unattainable goal that so many of us have set for ourselves.  Just being enough is enough, you know?  I know that I am a good mom.  I know that I would do anything for my kids.  I know that I am good at my job and I know that I am appreciated.  I have to wrap my brain around the fact that it is enough.

I also have friends who would not, under any circumstance, want to stay home with their kids and you know what, I get that too.  I can see both sides very clearly.

The idea of having it all, really needs to be the idea of having what you are happy with.  That is the conclusion we came to, aside from “no, you can’t have it all.”