Having It All
In the newly released movie "I Don't Know How She Does It", Sarah Jessica Parker plays Kate Reddy, a modern day working mother trying desperately to juggle marriage, children and a stressful career.
Kate is overly concerned about the well-being of her nanny first, followed by the well-being of her husband, Richard Reddy (played by Greg Kinnear).
In one scene, she even admits to her husband that it would be easier if he left, rather than the nanny.
Ouch! But, then again, I can understand how she might feel that way.
Despite the fact that I do not have children of my own, I have many friends with children, including my own brother, whose kids I absolutely adore and long to spend time with them whenever I am in Sydney.
Usually, my first weekend there is devoted to my niece and nephew, but after spending the first full day with them I find myself looking for a brief serenity escape.
Their energy and enthusiam are contagious but oh so exhausting, especially when you are trying to fight jet lag! Kids can be very rewarding for some, yet overwhelming for others.
For example, kids these days learn the art of negotiations at a very early age.
They constantly seem to be negotiating for toys, trips or other goodies and they never leave you alone until you have actually delivered.
Trying to get them up and ready for school in a timely fashion can be nerve wracking, between making their lunch, feeding them breakfast and making sure they're dressed appropriately.
Now, combine that with a full time job and everything suddenly becomes a tricky balancing act.
For those of us without children due to choice, are we selfish or are we content with our lives as they are...
feeling like we "have it all" already? With the release of the aforementioned movie, there seems to be new re-energized conversations taking place about women "having it all".
I, for one, salute all those women who manage to keep a marriage passionate, raise well-mannered children, excel in their career and live life! Unfortunately, women may feel pressured to "have it all" these days, which often means kids, a husband, a career, etc.
and find a way to manage it.
But all too often, many women buckle under the pressure of trying to maintain a lifestyle that may not make them happy, just because society has set a standard for them.
But who decides what it means to "have it all"? The one thing I know for sure is that we (men and women) each have the right to choose what goes on our "having it all" list and, best of all, we have the right to change that list anytime we want! I mean, who else knows, better than you, what the true vision of your perfect lifestyle is.
So I say "own it!" and be proud of your "having it all" list.
Whether you want to just get married and proudly raise children or if you want to have a career, husband and children, go for it without guilt or shame!
Kate is overly concerned about the well-being of her nanny first, followed by the well-being of her husband, Richard Reddy (played by Greg Kinnear).
In one scene, she even admits to her husband that it would be easier if he left, rather than the nanny.
Ouch! But, then again, I can understand how she might feel that way.
Despite the fact that I do not have children of my own, I have many friends with children, including my own brother, whose kids I absolutely adore and long to spend time with them whenever I am in Sydney.
Usually, my first weekend there is devoted to my niece and nephew, but after spending the first full day with them I find myself looking for a brief serenity escape.
Their energy and enthusiam are contagious but oh so exhausting, especially when you are trying to fight jet lag! Kids can be very rewarding for some, yet overwhelming for others.
For example, kids these days learn the art of negotiations at a very early age.
They constantly seem to be negotiating for toys, trips or other goodies and they never leave you alone until you have actually delivered.
Trying to get them up and ready for school in a timely fashion can be nerve wracking, between making their lunch, feeding them breakfast and making sure they're dressed appropriately.
Now, combine that with a full time job and everything suddenly becomes a tricky balancing act.
For those of us without children due to choice, are we selfish or are we content with our lives as they are...
feeling like we "have it all" already? With the release of the aforementioned movie, there seems to be new re-energized conversations taking place about women "having it all".
I, for one, salute all those women who manage to keep a marriage passionate, raise well-mannered children, excel in their career and live life! Unfortunately, women may feel pressured to "have it all" these days, which often means kids, a husband, a career, etc.
and find a way to manage it.
But all too often, many women buckle under the pressure of trying to maintain a lifestyle that may not make them happy, just because society has set a standard for them.
But who decides what it means to "have it all"? The one thing I know for sure is that we (men and women) each have the right to choose what goes on our "having it all" list and, best of all, we have the right to change that list anytime we want! I mean, who else knows, better than you, what the true vision of your perfect lifestyle is.
So I say "own it!" and be proud of your "having it all" list.
Whether you want to just get married and proudly raise children or if you want to have a career, husband and children, go for it without guilt or shame!
Source...