Moms in a Positive Light

Finally, a national publication has published an article about motherhood that I cannot attack for any reason: The New Mommy Track, which ran in U.S. News and World Report's Sept. 3 issue. The cover showed a happy mom (gasp) holding an equally happy-looking baby. The subtitle read: "More mothers are finding smart ways to blend work and family. How you can, too."

Astonishingly, there was no guilt, negative innuendo, infuriating quotes, cherry-picked statistics, mixed messages, or hidden agendas. Instead the article was filled with realistic, practical advice from believable working and at-home mothers, and every statistic rang true. (At least to me.)

Such as:

* A new generation of American mothers are rejecting the "superwoman" image as well as the "soccer mom" stereotype.
* The happiest moms are negotiating flexible schedules at work and fuller participation of fathers at home.
* Women are rejecting the traditional rules of the working game that men follow.
* Sixty percent of working moms say part-time work is the ideal model.
* Some mothers who don't have access to flexibility at work decide it's impossible to combine motherhood and work; these women take breaks from work to focus on family; many plan to return when the time is right.
* A growing number of mothers feel self-employment is the key to combining work and motherhood.
* Lesser educated and lower income women have fewer options for flexibility and part-time work.
* More and more mothers are succeeding at "having it all" without losing control of their lives.

So the question for today is: Why have I been able to find only one unbiased, objective article about balancing work and family in a national publication in the past two years? Why do most publications seem to have an ax to grind about whether working or staying at home is superior?

Clearly, some publications think that when it comes to motherhood, controversy and judgment catch readers' attention. But there's more to it. My hunch is that many of us covering this subject are too close for objectivity. As this blog has shown, nearly everyone across the country has a strong opinion about the "right" way to balance working and raising kids. I have to say, it sure was nice to read something nonjudgmental for a change. What's your take?

By Leslie Morgan Steiner |  September 17, 2007; 7:00 AM ET  | Category:  Moms in the News
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