Let’s talk about celebrities and motherhood! I read a headline on a story from earlier this year about Katie Holmes and motherhood. Here’s the headline, “Katie Holmes Has No Trouble Balancing Motherhood And A Career”

It sounds almost crazy. I don’t care who you are — if you are a mother, it’s hard to do everything that you want to do. It’s great that Katie seems to have figured this out, but I don’t think that it’s true for most people.

Later in the article she is asked point blank about balancing her career with motherhood.

IS IT HARD TO BALANCE MOTHERHOOD WITH A CAREER?

No, not at all. It’s fun. I find it exciting.”

I wonder if she would be able to say the same thing if she weren’t famous or rich. I just feel like this comment is a slap in the face to the millions of mothers out there who work a traditional full-time job, for traditional wages and do find it hard to balance everything.

It is a busy morning, I’m a bit rushed. My husband has to leave early, which throws off our routine but I make it out the door on time. I drop off my son at school for the day. Make my way, coffee in hand, to the office and get my day started.

I attend the daily 9:30 a.m. meeting and go about the rest of my morning. Must be around 10:00 when I go to the ladies room from all that coffee. I look down at the slate tile and stare at my shoes. That’s when I realize what I’ve done: Two different black shoes are on my feet.

Panic sets in: I’m mortified. Did anyone notice? My first thought is to go home and change, but I quickly dismiss this idea because it would take an hour to get home and back — the simple economics of gas cancels out this idea.

Luckily, the shoes are both black and the same height so I decide to just wing it the rest of the day. I don’t care if anyone notices. It’s just a fact of life. I get through the day without humiliation.

I wasn’t going to blog about this, but think that I should share this misery in hopes that I will make some other Mom out there feel better. And, “Moms At Work” recently posted on their Twitter page about another common embarrassment, “Classic. My zipper’s been down for two hours. Luckily, my job keeps me tied to my desk.” That made me feel better. Perhaps you’ve done this yourself or you just feel better knowing that it WASN’T you. Either way, I’m sure you can relate — we’re all doing so much. If the only thing I screw up this week is wearing two different shoes then I’ll consider myself lucky.

When you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”
– Diane Sawyer
“Good Morning America”

I love this quote from Diane Sawyer. I can’t remember when I first noted it, but it’s brilliant. How many times have you said, “I’m at the end of my rope!”? Too many, probably. Diane’s advice tells us to hang in there. Don’t give up.

It’s great advice for any day.

The other morning I picked up a book from my bookshelf that reminds me to slow down and take time for me. “Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much,” is a daily journal to guide women through life without being “workaholics, rushaholics, and careaholics.”

I particularly like the entry for March 15: Alone Time.

Alone time is absolutely essential to the human organism … My alone time is as essential to my spirit as food, sleep, and exercise are to my body.”

Each day tackles a new topic and can be read in about two minutes — who doesn’t have time for that?

Related:

• Use ‘Power Thought Cards’ For Positive Thinking

This topic of working or staying at home comes up all the time for moms. Here’s an article talks about the ups and downs for working moms — and those who want to go back to work after significant time off.

It also gives a few tips on how to negotiate a part-time or flex-time position so that you aren’t putting in full-time hours.

The full article, from SouthCoastToday.com is here.