The 2024 presidential election motivated me to have a birthday do-over

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At the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Pointe in Time Emerald Gala Today marks a week since my birthday.  Its occurrence is a tremendous blessing. Because all around us are reminders about the fragility of life. To that end, my brother, who always makes a point to celebrate me, took me to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater's Pointe in Time Emerald Gala on November 2d. That was the beginning of my birthday celebrations. And then, on my birthday itself, I got a bit of a surprise... My actual birthday was tough. It was Election Day. And, I spent the day working polls as a part of an election protection effort. My efforts were designed to protect all voters. However, deep in my heart I love my AKA sister, Kamala Harris and I hoped for her historic victory. Then, much to my chagrin and despite my efforts—and those of thousands more—she lost. In my estimation, that loss was one of the greatest setbacks in human dignity in my lifetime.  The country elected a felon and self-proclaimed, racist, ableis
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You Can Overcome Working Mom Guilt

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Mom at Disney smiling because her kids were happy!

“One of the conflicts inherent in having choice is that we all make different ones. There is always an opportunity cost, and I don't know any woman who feels comfortable with all her decisions. As a result, we inadvertently hold that discomfort against those who remind us of the path not taken. Guilt and insecurity make us second-guess ourselves and, in turn, resent one another.' ”― Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead










Being a working mom and feeling guilty go hand in hand. Some of the guilt is imposed by others. However, a lot of it is internal. Some of the guilt stems from our desire to be everything to our kids and our inability to achieve this goal. I've matured in my working mom journey to the point where guilt isn't at the top of my mind anymore. It doesn't mean that I don't feel a pang here and there. What it means is that Three kids in, I've learned to effectively manage it. Also, I have the luxury of choosing quality childcare. Accordingly, I am not worried about my kids while I am at work. I have the blessed assurance that they are in good hands.

That said, I understand the struggle. And when it is your first kid, it is very real.  So, for those deep in that struggle, I have included  a few posts below that show you from whence I came...


A Peek Into the Life of a Working Mom: Working Mom Guilt (#TBT)
Jan 8, 2015 ... I think working moms of small children might love weekends even more than college coeds. We work all week trying to remember not to feel guilty that it's the quality of time spent with children that matters not the quantity of the time.  Still there are those days when we feel terrible because we have missed some milestone, we had to go to work when our children were sick, or we have been judged by the endless people who seem to judge us for working even if they do so silently.
A Tale of Working Mom Guilt
Oct 3, 2014 ... Last night, my daughter was sick and barely slept. She was covered in red blotches and became increasingly uncomfortable. When she finally went to bed she was still up for hours. She kept screaming "Itchy Owy! Itchy Owy!" over and over again. This morning she was irritable and wanted her mommy. However, her mother works…

Working Mom Guilt
Jun 19, 2013 ... “It plagues me. I feel intensely guilty for working … You have to be able to provide for your kids. But I feel like it’s a weird modern phenomenon that you always feel guilty for it.” --Melissa McCarthy, actress, mom to two girls under 6 

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