Good Afternoon,
The last two clips that I want to share have really made me think about being a working mother in the United States. The first one by Diane von Furstenberg: An Identity Outside the Home opened my eyes to how many mothers are actually working outside the home. The numbers that she mentions in this clip are very eye opening and they are also only for one career. There are many different careers out there that women/mothers can be working in.

Lastly Jennifer Siebel Newsom speaks to us once again about Paid Parental Leave in the United States. Why can't we be like other countries and recognize the importance of parenting? Is this country too revolved around money now-a-days? Part of me wants to pack up and move before I have a child(ren) to a country that will be more accepting of me being a mother.

Hope I've gotten your brains thinking a little,
Ms. Red

Good Afternoon!
Are you ready to watch some more clips and hear some more advice for women and mothers?

Shelly Lazarus explains how women must give up perfect and somehow find acceptance within themselves. Her clip is titled: Giving up Perfect
I can relate to this clip, very much so, even though I am only a student. Growing up my mother would tell me that my work was always good but unless I felt that it was perfect I would keep redoing it. The same thing went with me putting on my shoes as a child; if my sock was folded or creased I would have to put my shoe on over and over until my sock was just right or "perfect" within my shoe.

Are women able to handle all the duties that are asked of them?  Katie Couric talks about Women's Tightrope Dance. She also mentions how men are never asked about their work life balance. This short clip made me think of the duties that women accomplish versus those that men accomplish. What are your thoughts on this?

A few more clips to come,
Ms. Red

Good Afternoon,
I have found a few videos from mothers explaining how they balance their lives as a mother. I will post a few of them at a time and look forward to hearing what you have to say about their response. They are very short clips so please watch.

The first clip is  The Second Shift from Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
As I listen to Jennifer I love the idea of having multiple shifts but being able to prioritize so when she is with the kids, she is with the kids and when she is at work, she is at work. 

The next clip gives great advice for mothers as Meg Whitman explains how to set priorities in her clip titled: Triage Your Life.
As she explains the importance of mothers and setting priorities I think of my life right now and how I have a hard time setting priorities and I'm only a student with no family.

Hope you enjoy the many videos to come!
Ms. Red

Good Afternoon,
The last mother to respond to my post was a friend and coworker of my mother. She has three children who are all graduated now but she told me of her time as a mother and going to school while her children were in grade school. She said she waited to finish her degree until Sam (her youngest) was in the first grade. She said that it was hard to go to school and have the family at the same time but her husband was a huge help and did more than his share. As the kids got older she said it was then easier to start a full time job. Her response was short but to the point. I am hoping to be able to finish my degree and start a full time career before I have a family.
I am learning so much from these professionals. I am excited to have a family one day but I hope to also be able to have a professional life in a school as a school teacher.

Have a great day!
Ms. Red

Good Afternoon,
My kindergarten teacher was the third mother to respond to my post. She told me that she was a stay at home mother until her boys were old enough to go to school. Her three boys have all graduated now and she has become a mother for some foster children and has adopted children. "She can now see how much has to 'slide' to be a mom with a job outside the home." She says she could never do it if it wasn't for her husband who is incredibly helpful. She quotes, "My house is messier, I get ready faster, I miss milestones, I miss the kids, I feel like I miss everything important" to end her explanation of how being a mother has changed her professional life.
After reading this response and the response before this I comment to the teachers and said "thanks for the input. All you teachers are scaring me to be a teacher and a mother :S I know I'm going to miss so much of my children's lives :( so sad to think...thank you!" As I am on the road to becoming an elementary education teacher I am quickly learning that I will have two families to manage: one at home and one at school. It is sad to think that the family I will see the most is going to be the family I will have at school but since I am so dedicated to becoming a teacher I will cherish which ever family I can get. 

Ms. Red