A Balancing Act

An article recently published in some Tribune newspapers report that 40 percent of working mothers feel rushed or stressed. It also said 25 percent of mothers are depressed.

I assume that most working individuals -- single, married and mother and fathers -- all feel rushed or stressed. Who wouldn't in this society where we rarely put down our iPhones or BlackBerrys and take a step away from work?

I was and wasn't surprised that 25 percent of mothers are depressed. Since I have wanted to be a mother since the time I was about five, I can't imagine actually be one would make me feel depressed. But I have seen all the mommy blogs out there. The ones that complain that they are sleep deprived and never have time for themselves. Others that talk about how their children have changed their life and not always for the better. Some state being a mom has held them back from climbing the corporate ladder. Others feel that having kids have forced them to give up on their dreams.

Being a perfectionist myself, I know that many women feel as though they have to be superwoman and be the best at everything they do. While most perfectionist know that achieving perfection is never achievable, it doesn't stop us from trying. Therefore, I can understand why moms try to be the perfect mom AND the perfect career woman all at the same time.

So, the real question is "Can a woman be a successful mother and a working woman at the same time?" I think very few women can do both well. I definitely think there are some professions that may allow women to be successful at it while being a mom at the same time. Other professions that require such a demand of your time and devotion to the job make it extremely hard to be a successful mom.

I think it is important to go into the situation knowing the demands of both your profession and how having a child will change your life. Sure, there will be always stresses in our lives and things won't always be easy. But, if you clearly want to be successful at one, consider how having the other might make you feel less than adequate.