How She Really Does It: Secrets of Successful Stay-at-Work Moms

by Wendy Sachs

Overview

The kids are sick but the boss needs the presentation on her desk by ten. The parent-child kindergarten brunch can't be missed, yet the business meeting beckons. When the only thing she knows for sure is that her day will bring a new set of challenges and priorities to be juggled, how does a stay-at-work mom do it all? Wendy Sachs, stay-at-work mother of two, has interviewed women from every walk of life— from celebrities like makeup maven Bobbi Brown, designer Vera Wang, CNN's Soledad O'Brien, the Today Show Ann Curry to everyday moms from all over the country—and has uncovered some inspiring answers. For starters, some stay-at-work moms have given up striving for balance; for true happiness and sanity, integration is the real key. Others have discovered that compartmentalization—wearing different hats at different times of day—is the only way to thrive. For all, the psychological, emotional, and financial payback of work is what keeps them feeling alive; even if they could afford not to work (and many can afford the choice), they wouldn't have it any other way.Demonstrating that a byproduct of having career ambition is a happier marriage and family, How She Really Does It will validate the millions of women now attempting to "have it all," or at least some of it all the time. Revealing the keys to staying-at-work, staying sane, staying satisfied, and staying at the heart of her family as well, How She Really Does It is a modern working woman's handbook.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738210629
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	03/07/2006
Edition description:	ANN
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Wendy Sachs is a freelance television producer. Previously, she was an associate producer at Dateline NBC. Her stories have earned an Emmy and an Amnesty International USA Media Spotlight award. Married and the mother of two, Sachs lives in New Jersey.

Table of Contents

	Preface	ix
1	Why Work Is Good from Our Heads to Our Souls: The Power of Staying at Work	1
2	The Shelf Life of Eggs: Biology Confronts Reality	21
3	The Breast Pump in the Briefcase: The Art of Juggling	43
4	Giving Up the Guilt: The Pressures, the Expectations, the Myths	69
5	Something's Got to Give: How to Switch Gears and Careers	93
6	Moms at the Helm: A Business Boom Explosion	115
7	Making It Work for You: Life Goes in Cycles	139
8	Finding the Holy Grail: What Moms Really Want	161
	Acknowledgments	189
	Notes	193
	Index	197

Editorial Reviews

"A strangely refreshing and apolitical read...Sachs, like many writers before her, is addressing the greatest dilemma of modern motherhood."

Weekly Standard 7/18/05

"Fresh and hit[s] harder than [its] predecessors...Inspirationaland positive."

Albuquerque Tribune 7/26/05

In the wake of major media attention paid to the complexity of women's professional choices during their childbearing years, Sachs, a former network television producer turned freelancer and mother of two, sets out to reveal winning strategies for mothers who wish to continue working after having children, interviewing celebrity and "everyday" moms about their decisions and work-life arrangements. Of course, there is no magic secret to reveal, but what Sachs does provide is an in-depth consideration of the successes and failures of various choices individual women have made. A major theme is the importance of being flexible in both schedules and expectations. The women also agree that excellent child-care options, supportive spouses and an ability to let go of perfectionism in all realms are key to obtaining a happy life/work balance. Stories from women like cosmetics entrepreneur Bobbi Brown, CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien and NBC News anchor Ann Curry provide motivating models of determination (though readers will note that these women can afford child-care choices unavailable to many). But celebrity splash aside, Sachs has a clear focus, examining the personal priorities of women who may or may not have the choice to continue working, but who all believe that their professional identity is an integral part of their satisfaction with life and a beneficial component in their ability to be good mothers. (May 1) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Journalist and "stay-at-work" mother Sachs interviewed both celebrity career moms, from the Today Show's Ann Curry to designer Vera Wang, and regular Janes to get an inside look on how women balance their roles. Their message: don't feel bad for wanting it all. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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