The never-ending battle with trying to balance and have it all continues.  I think a part of me feels that one day I’ll get it.  One day I’ll crack the code and figure out how to balance it all.  This is not in fact true, so I continue to feel as if I’m starting all over again in trying to figure this out and how to balance it all when this topic resurfaces again to a point where it takes up most of my attention.  On the other hand, do moms really have time to let this take up our time and attention?  We just do it, right?!

I think this has come into focus for me again because I just had a baby, and am considering again what I am going to do in terms of work and balancing my various kuleana.  At the same time, a friend shared this article with me that articulates the increasing demands of motherhood that moms are not prepared for in today’s day and age.

I disagree with this statement.  I think it’s our careers and work that moms are doing that are the cause of the increasing demands.  When moms first started transitioning to working outside of the home, many took on more administrative-type work.  Nowadays, moms are doctors, lawyers, writers, psychologists, professional tennis players, and the list goes on.  These jobs and careers are not typically jobs where you can clock in and clock out without taking work home with you, or working only 8 hours a day.  These jobs are intense.

On a separate but related note, a friend recently made a comment to me along the lines of how it must be difficult for me not to work in light of the energy and effort that I put towards earning my degrees.  Truth be told, I do feel at times that I’m benched and just waiting for coach to call me into the game.  I don’t necessarily feel any ill feelings about this, though.  Instead, I feel lucky to have the opportunity to observe and continue to do my homework.  But there are times when I am just chomping at the bit waiting for the opportunity to be able to be service and bring my skills to the table.

So I still don’t have the answer.  There is still a constant push/pull of wanting to work right now, but also acknowledging what I know works best for me and my ʻohana.  In terms of balancing my role as māmā, my career goals, and other goals, many times I feel so lucky to be able to juggle these all.  Who doesn’t want it all?