Being a new mom has taught me many things; like how to pay attention driving with one hand while blindly trying to put a pacifier in my daughter Harper’s screaming mouth, how to rock a Boppy chair with one foot while putting on mascara or even how to type on a computer with one hand while using the other to hold a bottle –– but most of all, I have a new found appreciation for working mothers. Growing up I had a few friends whose moms had a traditional full-time job, but I, on the other hand had a mom that had a full-time job of being a mother to two, a wife and a “house manager.” I never knew what it would be like to work 8-10 hours a day in an office and then to come home to family that needed to be fed, laundry that had to be washed, a house that needed cleaning and most importantly a husband and child that required some quality time with their wife/mom and vice versa.

A recent study found that although 59 percent of women work or are seeking work, many remain conflicted about the competing roles at work and a home, feeling far more guilt about how they are balancing work and children than fathers do. The study also found that full-time working moms are the hardest on themselves. Mothers working full-time gave themselves slightly lower ratings as parents, on average, than do at-home mothers or mothers employed part-time. Only 10 percent of the moms that work full-time gave themselves a 10 out of 10 when it came to rating their parenting skills and 18 percent gave themselves a 9 out of 10.

After reading the study, I started to think about all of the moms I work with (and there are many!) and they make it look so easy – balancing life, work and family. I must say that we are lucky that we work in an environment that allows us to easily sneak out of the office to make a dance recital or a school play, helping to take away some of the guilty feelings working parents may have. When I look at the Dixon Schwabl moms I would say that overall they are a 10 + when it comes to being a mom that not only excels at work but that also gives more than adequate love and attention to their families. We can’t base our mothering skill perceptions on the fact that we not only have to work but also feel guilt by not physically being there for our children 100 percent during the day.

(Courtesy:http://inconvenientbody.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/super_mom.jpg)

It made me so sad to see that more full-time working moms don’t think that they are top-notch “Super Moms.” They really should give themselves more credit for all that they do! Sure a few months ago it was tough to find a balance between work and my new family, but once I did the guilt seemed to subside and each day that passes it gets a little easier to manage. I do feel remorse at times, wishing that I could be there for every waking moment of Harper’s life, but just because I work full-time doesn’t mean that I am not a wonderful, attentive and all-around amazing mom!

Of course, sometimes I wish that I could focus my day only on being the best mom ever, but I think what makes me such a loving mom (and many of the other moms I know) is the fact that I can work full time, go to the gym some nights, can even go to Wegmans at 7 pm and still come home exhausted, cook dinner and still find time and energy to spend quality time with my baby girl and husband. It is so important to cherish the time we can spend together and to make the most out of every moment while at work and at home surrounded by the ones we love.