So this posting is a bit more of a stream of consciousness. I had some thoughts this morning as I walked my dog. I was thinking that as a working mom I am trying to find balance. But that immediately makes people think I mean "work-life balance." I'm not sure that is the right phrase for me and here's why. To me, the work-life balance stuff is about diluting your engagement at work to be more accessible to your family and children at home. It feels like they are saying (they being the collective "they") don't be so gung-ho about work so you can leave on time and pick up the kids. I also feel like there's this imposed connection between stress and work. What about the connection between stress and taking care of children?
My thoughts during the walk led me to a concept I am calling an engagement balance. I have a relatively new job (started at the end of August) and I LOVE it. I don't want to dilute my engagement there. I love the feeling I have when I wake up and WANT to go to work. I love feeling like I don't want to leave the office. It's not stressful at least not in a bad way. Some stress is good - the stress that challenges you and pushes you to do things well.
I feel like working moms are pressured to be more engaged at home than work.I think we need to have engagement in both places.
I think with technology its harder to be engaged when we are home. Harder to turn off and really be present for the family and the children we love with all our hearts.
Work can feel easier to deal with sometimes. Even when its stressful. We have more control in the outcomes. More tangible accomplishments. Nobody cries at work (at least most of the time). No one refuses to clean up their mess. People listen (mostly) and provide constructive input.
Engagement in all aspects of life is the goal. Some of it just comes more naturally to some of us than others.
What do you think?
