The message of the recently-released, deeply researched and very readable Good Enough is the New Perfect is that no one combination of working and mothering fits all. Companies that offer “flex time” have not necessarily cracked the code. “Balance” means different things for different women. What works for you this month might not work for you next month. What you thought you would want once you had children might not be what you actually want once you do. Dreams change and your dream job can become a nightmare. If you are fortunate, you can quit. Or you can work. Or you can do both.
And all of that is okay.
You can have it all, the authors suggest, provided you make a mindful and personal determination as to what having it all means for you. The key lies in setting reasonable expectations in all areas of your life.
The book is based on extensive research and interviews of more than 900 moms and the findings are interposed with the personal stories of the two authors: Becky Gillespie -- a journalist who tried on many roles before she found one that fit, and Hollee Schwartz Temple -- a lawyer whose stroll away from her high-powered firm into the world of academia caused more than a few raised eyebrows.
The book is a must read for anyone who has struggled to navigate parenthood and profession. Though you won’t find a single answer between its pages, you will come away realizing that if it works for you and your family, it’s perfect enough.
Good Enough is the New Perfect is available at booksellers nationwide and online at Amazon. Becky and Hollee blog at the www.thenewperfect.com.
