The other night I was watching the news, and Barack Obama went directly from a conference with reporters to parent-teacher conferences with his wife.  It was a very real reminder that the new first family is more than aware of juggling work and family life.  The Obama’s offer a unique look at how to deal with high-profiled careers while still raising young children.  In many ways, the Obama’s are real-life representatives of the changing times when it comes to career and kids.

Michelle Obama has said that she wants to help raise awareness of the difficulties in juggling family life with carer.  The New York Times says:

“As first lady, Mrs. Obama has said, she plans to make herself an advocate for working parents, particularly military families, urging better access to child care for all. Trying to juggle public duties with two young children, she will be a living illustration of the very issue she describes.”

Do you think the new first family will help working parents, either with legislation or by example?  Why or why not?

Post from: Blisstree

The Obama’s Juggle Between Career and Kids

I caught an interesting article the other day regarding a study from the University of Cambridge that said “most Britons believe that family life suffers if women work, prompting headlines about the death of ‘Supermum’.”

Ooooh… that word…. “supermom.”  It makes me cringe.  Because WHY does it always seem to be the women that deal with this issue?  You don’t hear of many dads that are called “superfathers.”  (And I know you’re out there guys so please do speak up – we need your opinions on this as well.) 

In the article, women chat about daycare, working, and how they made the decision to either stay home or work.  I don’t think this is an easy decision for anyone.  Several of the women say they worked out the idea of who was going to stay home with the kids before they even got married. 

I think this article helps prove that perhaps more than anything it’s the “supermom” title that’s been beaten to death.  Moms are just trying to do the best for their kids and family, regardless of where they end up.  The answer is simple – there isn’t one clear cut decision you can make as a parent about staying home or going to work.  Everyone does the best they can, and whatever their decision, it’s the best for their own family.  We can’t as outsiders look at someone else and judge the situation.

What are your thoughts on this title of “supermom“?

Post from: Blisstree

Death of the “Supermom”?