tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808781059813824798.post4374353393436498742..comments2022-11-04T03:38:33.520-07:00Comments on Bundles of Joy: Achievement, Ambition, Empowerment, and ContentmentJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05320628104948300901noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808781059813824798.post-91425786627994505992013-06-23T19:54:27.240-07:002013-06-23T19:54:27.240-07:00Every time I see a friend pull out of the workforc...Every time I see a friend pull out of the workforce to raise children, I wonder if the pendulum is swinging back towards valuing childrearing more. Law school, MBA's, and PhD's in science are getting shelved over and over for the "humble" but extremely vital role of motherhood. I can't help but think that this will have a positive effect for our daughters. (And sons and their future families, too.)Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05320628104948300901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808781059813824798.post-26605651733628668732013-06-23T19:50:24.750-07:002013-06-23T19:50:24.750-07:00I think my "contentment" is made easier ...I think my "contentment" is made easier by the impending arrival of baby #3. I can't imagine taking on anything new right now. But with the girls getting older and headed towards school, it could be the right time to consider other things if there weren't a baby on the way. <br /><br />Let's reconvene this conversation when baby #3 is in preschool. With more wine, of course. Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05320628104948300901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808781059813824798.post-84167897444305279722013-06-22T19:11:05.539-07:002013-06-22T19:11:05.539-07:00So funny, I just saw this.
I have been thinking ...So funny, I just saw this. <br /><br />I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about this conversation since we had it, and I, too, have initiated it with another group of friends. I wish I could say that I have come to a "conclusion" with regard to my own feelings as you have, but I can't. I love my family. I love my husband and my kids (does that need saying??) but...butbutbut. There still is this part of me that says "why are you a trailing spouse? Why aren't you doing something interesting? why aren't you doing something challenging and important? Is your professional identity enough?" I can't seem to shut down that voice. But at the same time, the more I think about it, the more I lean AWAY from pursuing the Nurse Practitioner program. So I'm really all over the place! I'm jealous of your seeming ability to be content - I am still working on getting there. <br /><br />oh, and thanks for the wine. ;) <br /><br />"Janey"jjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02648448355377101816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808781059813824798.post-73248965008083768252013-06-14T17:53:17.921-07:002013-06-14T17:53:17.921-07:00I have no wisdom to offer regarding work-life bala...I have no wisdom to offer regarding work-life balance, but we need to be more forthright as a society in acknowledging that "choosing" to have your family at age 38 or 40 is a huge gamble. "Planning" your family is a misnomer. Sure, we can plan--but if God is not on board then our plans are in the realm of "planning" how to spend the money when you win the lottery. After you have a miscarriage you tend to see a bunch of specialists and then you realize just how little our fabulous "modern" medical system knows about pregnancy and childbirth. The higher the specialist you see, the more likely he/she is to admit that he/she has no idea why your miscarriage occurred. Our society needs to admit that the working life is really long--45 years and counting--but the childbearing years are really short. And we need to be willing to "empower" our daughters with the idea that children and family are a worthwhile, commendable, utterly praiseworthy part of life. They are not a waste of your college education. They are precious and they are time-consuming and it's time very well spent. (Sorry for the rant!) - PollyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03874791616088746070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808781059813824798.post-14692425448191071312013-06-14T05:45:28.221-07:002013-06-14T05:45:28.221-07:00You're right Charis. Everyone's balance sh...You're right Charis. Everyone's balance should look different. I suppose that's what true "empowerment" is about. <br /><br />Judgement is the big elephant in the room when it comes to career vs. family. Mine is self-judgement. I need to get over that...Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05320628104948300901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808781059813824798.post-38491967267789053402013-06-14T01:54:15.480-07:002013-06-14T01:54:15.480-07:00Interesting points. I think that work/life balance...Interesting points. I think that work/life balance, and career fulfillment, varies so much depending on the day, the week, the month. And it's so individual. What works for one family is not going to work for another. The only thing I've learned about this epic struggle so far is that entering any sort of judgement into the equation is counterproductive. All you can do is what feels right to you.<br /><br />With that said, off to work on an MBA paper at quarter of 5 before my workday starts ... charismamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17145150038502630249noreply@blogger.com