by Donna Vestre

Created on: December 15, 2006   Last Updated: March 25, 2009

Women With Families And Careers ...Can We Have It All?

It's a never ending controversy... "Can women have a family and career at the same time?" I can tell you first hand it's somewhat of a balancing act, but it is possible. Long gone are the days that men were the bread winners of their families, while the women stayed home tending to the house and caring for children.

As women, we tend to fall into the mold of care giver. By that I mean, we have always been the strength behind the scene... Remember the quote, "Behind every good man is a woman?" We have lived up to the reputation of making the wrongs right, tending to our children's needs, and playing nurse maid to our families. So I ask you, is it any wonder that women are excelling to great lengths up the corporate ladders of America today?

It is my belief, that we as women can contribute our professional success to the way we were raised. We watched our mothers and grandmothers master the role of multi-tasking, accomplishing uncountable tasks in maintaining balance and order within our homes. So why is it no surprise that we have followed the examples our role models displayed to achieve success in today's corporate world?

Women are more aware of the importance to maintain a healthy lifestyle today. We have learned that eating healthy is better than dieting. Women are going to the gym more, taking care of their bodies. We recognize the importance of nurturing our spirit and mind, thus we can focus with a clear perspective of what we need to do in order to achieve success.

There are steps we can take to gain balance in the hectic world that surrounds us. It is important that women step away from their roles in the home, as well as in business to take a "time out" and reconnect with their own needs. This could be as simple as signing up for a yoga or jazzercize class. A great stress reliever in most cases, and it doesn't require a lot of time.

Finding a niche for yourself could open doors to discover a unique talent you may not have known exists. I write about business mostly, but I enjoy poetry as well. This is not a career by any means, but because I enjoy it, I indulge myself in this activity for about an hour a day.

Setting routines that reward you with more time is essential in this day and age. I lay out the kids school clothes and prepare their lunches the night before. This small task minimizes the need to rush in the morning. When I work, I work the hours I have scheduled myself for (I am self-employed).

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