Life's Work

I received a copy of this book to review for my website. And the book changed my life. When I first picked up the book Life's Work I put it down, deeming it not appropriate for BlueSuitMom's working mother audience. How wrong I was. Initially in the introduction I was put off by this sentence "Not a one of us seems to be able to give 100 percent of themselves to their job and 100 percent of themselves to their family and 100 percent of themselves to taking care of themselves." I read the line and decided she was wrong ... there are so many of us that can and do have it all. However, I didn't get the point ... the point she was making is that inevitably there are times when our balancing act glitches. When sometimes "life and work collide."Had I finished reading the introduction I would have read that the point is that we can work, have a family and take care of ourselves but sometimes they all can't happen at the same moment in time. Sometimes one has to come first. Sometimes there are dare I say "sacrifices."However, when I finally picked it up again I read that "No one can do it, because it cannot be done ... So let's start forgiving ourselves when we can't do it ... So what if the house isn't as clean as it should be? So what if that last business report was not the best you've ever written? So what if you're eating takeout for the second night in a row, or haven't been to the gym in weeks, or sent your children to school in crumpled shirts on school picture day? ... I'm not saying that none of these things matter. They all matter, but not all the time ... even I know that 100 percent plus 100 percent plus 100 percent equals more than any one person can do in a day. So what?"This might have been the most powerful message I've read in a book -- ever. Because today I vow that this will change my life. From now on, I'm not going to stay awake until 3 a.m. stressing out about why I'm not good enough. Why do I have to spend countless hours worrying that it isn't good enough. Some days I send out newsletters to BlueSuitMom readers with typos. And probably no one notices (okay maybe some of you do since you write to say hey this link is wrong or this tease didn't actually exist in the newsletter). And today I am saying "So what if it wasn't the best." This is a radical thought since normally I will agonize for hours that heaven forbid Rachael made a typo or put the wrong link in. In fact, I profusely apologize to those who write in ... but from now on I will give you the right link and repeat to myself "So what." I've learned that sometimes our best work can't be perfect.It isn't that I don't care about producing the best source for working mothers on the Internet; it is just that sometimes I will remember that no one can be perfect. And for years I've always strived to be that exception. I'll work until the middle of the night and then wonder why I don't have as many friends as I want or have the time to religiously stick to the gym. But from readi

Anyone who has ever struggled with the complexities of having a career and being a devoted parent at the same time will be able to identify with the many anecdotes that Lisa Belkin relates. She covers a myriad of situations that career mothers face in the everlasting struggle to balance "life's work." The book is a fast and relaxing read that makes one realize that as hard as you may try, you "can't do it all."

I have loved Lisa Belkin's columns in the New York Times, and it was wonderful to read them threaded together, with new work, in this book. At times funny, at times heartbreakingly poignant, no one better explains the stresses and rewards of attempting to have a career and a family.

I saw the author on the Today Show and I'm so glad I did. What a delightful book! Belkin understands what it really means to be a modern parent: How you feel tugged in all directions and sure that you are screwing it all up. I loved her message -- that you should do the best you can and it will turn out okay. And I also loved the way she wrote about that. I laughed a lot, and cried a little, and I nodded in recognition all the way through. I'm also the mother of two young children and most of all I was grateful for the short, snappy chapters, which is all I have time to read in my life. I'm getting this for my mother, and my sister and even my mother-in-law for mother's day.

Lisa Belkin portrays herself as a loving and caring mom who loves her kids and her job. She discribes how you can't have it all but she seems to think that family comes before work and I agree.