No permission needed: Almost every morning, I stop at Starbucks and get a latte (sometimes a glazed doughnut too). It's a daily splurge, but working every day affords me a little luxury.
Once a year, I take my girls on a weekend somewhere fun--just for us. We stay in a hotel, we go to a few nice restaurants, and we go shopping. The fact that I bring income into our home gives me the freedom to make personal purchases that I might not feel right about if I were not contributing too.
A stronger marriage: As night approaches and Scott and I settle into bed, we spend time catching up and talking about our day. These moments are absolutely precious.
Our dialogue often brings energy to our married life because we both have passionate connections to our careers and life outside our home. When we brainstorm about problems at work, discuss exciting projects coming up, or share our accomplishments at the office, it lets Scott and I continue discovering each other in a new light. We're able to connect and bond about things besides the kids and it keeps our marriage full of respect and pride for each other.
An identity beyond "Mommy": I have said it many times throughout this book: being a mother is my most important role. But that doesn't mean I don't also want to have a deeper sense of self.
I want to be known in a context separate from my life at home with my family. Whether a stay-at-home or working mom, each one of us is multi-faceted, and being a mother is not the only way you should define yourself or be your sole purpose for being. Working allows me to identify myself as something different, separate, and independent from my family.
No one said it would be easy. But I know that the greatest gift I can give my children is a positive outlook. Being true to myself--ambitious, energetic, and driven, both at home and in my career--teaches my children that if they work hard, they can live their dreams as well.
After much discussion with friends, family, co-workers, and other working mothers, I have learned one very important thing. At the end of the day, all of us are just doing the very best we can. There is no right or wrong way to balance your career and your family. But life isn't really about finding the right way to do everything; it's about doing what's right for you.
Be a Proud Working Mom. I know I am.
Samantha Knowles is the author of Working Mom Reviews. Looking for a scientifically proven program backed by university research? Get perfectly cut abs, Check out MI40x Know about psychic abilities, how to harness them through telekinesis, materialization, teleportation and extreme healing, at Miracle Mastery
