You can have it both ways

Let me start by saying that I have always wanted to have a career and family and knew that I could do both successfully (thanks mom).  When Stacey and I decided to have kids he knew that family would come first, but I would not be a stay at home mom.  He also knew that my career comes with crazy hours and thank the lord he was up for the challenge!

At three my daughters played meeting and were thrilled when I took them to work with me one day for a real meeting.  I was proud to be raising two little girls who wanted to be a success and saw me as a role model (OK maybe a little bit of a stretch, but I think I deserve it).  And then the tables turned. 

In May Stacey went to St. Louis for three days.  You would have thought it was the end of the world for the girls who cried every night that their snuggle buddy was not there to snuggle with them.  Ella would stare out the window down the gravel road just waiting for his truck to pull in the driveway.  Being good wife I called Stacey so he could enjoy the tears and sadness with me.  I was a little upset that here I was home with them and willing to do anything they wanted to make it a fun girls only few days and all they wanted was daddy (and sometime papa).  When I asked Grace if they cried when I was not home she look me in the eyes and said "not really mom."  Stacey added that they were used to me being gone.  My heart sunk.  Did my job mean that they needed daddy more then mommy?

Thankfully when I was away for five days in July I received a phone call with Ella barely able to talk and in tears because she missed her mommy and wanted me to come home and hold her.  It made me feel so good and I was even able to say to Stacey "well sucks to be you right now, but I am headed to have a beer with the gang.  See you in a few days." 

While I hate being away and really hate when I can not be there to snuggle and tuck the girls in at night, I know that I am teaching them an important lesson.  You don't have to choose between being a successful mom and having a successful career, you just need a good husband to support you in both!