I am the besotted grandmother of a perfectly delicious four-month old girl.  While I dote on her and everything she does, I am also watching my daughter in her role as a mother.   She is a sensational parent, despite being sleep-deprived, adores her baby and can't bring herself to even think about having to go back to work.  Her lifestyle has completely changed, to now revolve around this little cherub.  While she is inspiringly serene in this new role, I know that there are times when she feels cut off from the world and very isolated, particularly from her former professional life.  She is on maternity leave, yet there seems to be no provision from her employer to keep her engaged in, and informed about, what is happening in her workplace.  I am sure that she is not alone in this situation.  If we are serious about retaining a motivated and capable workforce, then employers must acknowledge, and plan for, parenting so that there are choices about when and how parents can return to work, without feeling as if they have to give up their children to full-time care.

I have just read an article that suggests women can't have a career and a happy marriage. It really is a poor indictment on what is actually a pretty normal state of affairs in this day and age.

Lucky there is also a written rebuttal by Elizabeth Cochran to bring some sense to the mix. My fear though is that the male point of view is reality. Let me know what you think!

http://www.forbes.com/home/2006/08/23/Marriage-Careers-Divorce_cx_mn_land.html