A Mother's Work / Life Balance Gets Off Center

Everywhere we turn there are abundant articles on work, life, balance. It continues to be one of the hottest topics for us, as women, to explore, examine and attempt to implement. Some of women are able to position their days in the ebb and flow of life's demands with barely raising and eyebrow. Then there are others who live under with the constant barage of everyday stress as if it is a battle field. I like to think my life work equation has been one of fairly consistent balance fueled by positive outlook. Looking back, my imbalance crept on the scene just before Christmas. Our college son was to drive home after finals from Northern Iowa. What a joyous event! Holiday spirits were high with the anticipation of my son's hug as he entered the door. Alex is a fun guy to have around and the entire staff looks forward to his arrival on the baking scene. It is similar to having the calvary arrive when high school and college kids when released for break saunter in as only young people can, to fill in as temporary Holiday help by offerring the seasoned crew some relief and youthful laughter. You know it is just plain fun! Well, as it turned out Alex was to be delayed an extra day due to a blizzard. Oh well, my favorite helper would still be home for Christmas. He and I have spent numerous December Sundays together baking and sharing great conversations. It is somewhat like when your children have yet to get their driver's license and they are captive audience in the car! We laugh, sing and generally goof off calling it work. Well, I digress.... at any rate the Holiday baking season wrapped up...Christmas day was spent enjoying family and friends ... and Alex spent the night with friends. You may be wondering how this is going to relate to work / life balance. Well the next morning, Central Illinois had a terrible ice storm which most of us were not expecting, especially groggy eyed college boys as they were doing a good deed by taking out the garbage for a freind's mother. Sure enough Alex's feet slid out from under him causing him to crash to the ground resulting in a broken ankle. Needless to say what a lousy way to spend break and yes it would be a better story for him if it had been a skiing mishap! In one fell swoop a self sufficient college young man became completely reliant on others. Fitted in a non weight bearing cast for the next 4-6 weeks, unable to drive...even the simple pleasure of carrying a glass of milk and cookies to the couch in front of the TV required the assistance of another. The first 2 weeks were an adjustment for the entire family. This is an example of how a twist of fate for one family member impacts the entire unit. It has given me pause to reflect on my own life/balance equation while sharing with Alex the the principle there is good that rises from everything when approached with a positive attitude even in the darkest moments. As a mother, it has been difficult to return him to school on crutches in the middle of winter. I admit to having been consumed with my love and concern to best guide Alex through his newly found emotions. Coaching him that there is nothing wrong in asking for help and that someday he will have the opportunity to help another. Now that Alex is back at school, and yes my mother's concern is still intack, I appraoch my day with warmth in understanding and great appreciation for the tools which are available by the Make Mine program. These tools have been an assistance not just in my business but now in my home. And you know....the work side of my equation just went humming right along.... the staff confident in their abilities continued to guide the business forward making it easier for me to be a mom! I encourage every woman business owner right now to visit: http://www.makemineamillion.org and join our community today! Being a part of the Make Mine community just makes life even better!