by Lisa Demarco

Created on: February 16, 2007   Last Updated: April 28, 2007

The word "parent" is synonymous with "multi-tasker". And as far as I'm concerned, anyone whose job it is to keep track of someone else's doctors appointments, dentist appointments, field trips, library books, baseball practices, soccer games, ballet classes, track meets, play dates, PTA meetings and a slew of birthday party RSVPs should draw a hefty salary. My daughter Caroline is 5. My son Michael is 7. These kids need their own Personal Assistant, or at the very least their own Palm Pilot. For now I'm happy to share my own Palm with them, and my own experiences with you.

Networking. As an executive, I do it everyday. I'm the Marketing Director for an apparel brand. I'm a busy girl, and I manage (with the grace of God) to wake my children, get them dressed, fed, and off to school on time everyday. Once they're out the door, the real work begins. I have a network of clients, suppliers, distributors, press people, ad people, printers, you name them, I know them. When it comes to my children, my network closes in on me. While I sometimes enjoy working from my home office, I didn't choose that lifestyle, and a stay at home mom I'm just not cut out to be her. But I envy her connections, and I'd kill for her network.

They're all over the place. In every state. In every town. In every neighborhood. These women are sisters. They are tight. United for the cause. I've seen them at Starbucks, sipping their venti non fat lattes once the kids are in school, leisurely discussing current events. I've seen them entering and leaving the gym together. A network of motivators. They run bake sales, magazine drives, and book fairs with one another. A network of hard working, devoted fund-raisers. And they always have someone to call when they need a last minute sitter, when their kid needs a lift to practice, or when they need party planning tips. They flaunt their acronym in e mails, entire message boards are devoted to their clubs. It's their badge of honor. They are fierce. They are dedicated. They are SAHMs, and on occasion, I wish I could be more like them.

Then it happened. Last week, at a birthday party, I met the mothers of two children in my daughters Kindergarten class. These women were incredible. Both had me at hello. We shared similar personalities; senses of humor. Conversation flowed easily for over an hour about children, movies, music, spouses, trends, friends, health issues, and education. I related to them. I had more in common with them than I thought possible.

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