LilSugar

Did You Put Your Baby Plans on Hold For Your Career?

babysugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:01:32 -0700

The tug of war between family and work can be challenging. Some women are anxious to get pregnant as soon as they find a partner to procreate with, while others enjoy couples life and pursue career goals before settling down to a life of three or more. Such is the case with Tiffani Thiessen and her hubby of four years. On the subject of babies, the 35-year-old White Collar actress recently said:

We’ve talked about it, but the show started, so we’re going to wait and try to figure out when the best time is. . . . I don’t want to spring a pregnancy on a brand new show that I just got on.

Did you put your family planning on hold for your career or vice versa?

What Benefits Make Work Life Balance a Reality?

LilSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:45 -0700

Working parents know that there are choices and sacrifices that must be made when juggling their home and office commitments. Our own Commander-in-Chief recently lamented the events and milestones he missed while on the campaign trail or attending meetings, but whether or not those choices define success in the business world is still up for debate.

As the number of dual-income families continues to rise, many employers are trying to help mom and dad maintain some sort of work-life balance with programs and tools designed to reduce their levels of stress. The White House has given aides with tots priority in receiving laptops and has offered for aides' children to use the newly installed swing set and swimming pool in hopes that parents will see their offspring more. Many private companies offer flex hours to allow parents to work from home or finish up work once the kids have been tucked into bed. What benefits would be most helpful to you as a working parent?

Man Says Women Can't Have It All, But One Mom Begs to Differ

babysugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:00:34 -0700

Voices of authority can often validate one's beliefs or make them feel empty. Jack Welch, a successful businessman and former CEO of GE, told a crowd of human resource specialists:

There's no such thing as work-life balance... There are work-life choices, and you make them, and they have consequences... We’d love to have more women moving up faster... But they’ve got to make the tough choices and know the consequences of each one.

Stay-at-home moms may find comfort in these words while a working mommy questions her nine-to-five routine. Working mother Alexandra Lebenthal, Chief Executive Officer of Lebenthal & Company LLC, took the time to respond to Mr. Welch's claims. To see what she had to say, read more. Her rebuttal:

Every time a man says it's harder to get ahead I wonder if it is because he is opposed to the idea... In my 23 years of working, I have seen many women show they could make it work... That is not to say it was easy. There are always choices and trade-offs. At the same time there are also great rewards. I have met many children of high-powered women who exhibit a tremendous sense of confidence and independence.

While some mamas choose to pursue a career, others are forced to go to work for financial reasons. Either way, it seems unfair to tell women that they "can't have it all" when there's really no evidence to state otherwise. Whose views do you agree with more: Jack Welch or Alexandra Lebenthal?

Does Being Laid Off Affect How You View Your Spouse?

LilSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 05:00:00 -0700

The current economy has affected most families, but since December 2007, more than 80 percent of workers laid off have been men. As a result, many couples have to switch roles to keep their families afloat. For Rick and Eleanor Hemmert, this is ruining their marriage. When Rick was laid off in November of 2008, he took on the task of primary caretaker to their 7-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, which is something his wife envies. To make ends meet, Eleanor picked up more hours at the office and as a result her resentment towards her spouse has increased. Believing that a man should support his wife, Eleanor says she lost respect for Rick that will not be restored until he is employed. Do you think she has a valid point?

Ecomomics: Have You (or Your Spouse) Been Laid Off?

LilSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:00:36 -0800

Layoffs are a result of the current economy. After receiving pink slips, many moms and dads are spending more time at home than usual. For some parents, the down time is an opportunity to reconnect with their kids, for others it is sheer stress. Has your family been affected by the economy?

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Did Becoming a Mom Affect Your Career?

LilSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 06:00:59 -0700

Nobody forgot blond bombshell Gwyneth Paltrow, but when the Oscar winner swapped Hollywood for motherhood - she didn't look back. According to People, the starlet said:

"I really did not know if there would be a place for me," said Paltrow. "Jodie Foster was right, especially if you are a woman and especially if you are not 25. Hollywood is pretty cutthroat, and everybody has a short memory. There is always someone who is younger or hotter or prettier."

And, Tinseltown isn't the only place with a short memory. Most working moms deal with this issue. While they aren't competing with Scarlett Johansson, they are up against coworkers who stay at the office late, arrive early and don't have dependents. Running off to your daughter's recital, son's soccer game or getting caught in carpool doesn't exactly garner boardroom kudos in business environments. Even going on maternity leave can take its toll on a career. To read what happened to one woman, read more.

One woman I know was promised a promotion only to be told, "We can't help you until you've had your baby" after announcing she was pregnant. While Gwyneth made a conscious choice to abandon the red carpet to raise Apple, 4 and Moses, 2, many working moms don't have that financial security. Relying on the income, the mamas are forced to climb back up the corporate ladder once they return.

Has motherhood led to setbacks in your career?

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Do You Want Your Child to Follow in Your Footsteps?

babysugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:00:30 -0700

I don't bring my lil one to the office though I think it would be fun sometimes.

Since I also work from home, she occasionally likes to bang on the keyboard until something pops up. I'm sure by the time she's five years old, she'll have her own profile on Facebook.

To see which celeb is now sharing his occupation with his son, read more.

Parents like Tom Cruise are happy to watch their children take on the family business. Connor Cruise was just cast as the young Will Smith in the upcoming movie Seven Pounds.

While exposing wee ones to the workplace may or may not inspire them to choose your career, would you want your child to follow in your occupational footsteps?
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Work It Mama!

babysugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:00:13 -0700

Often times, moms find joy in a professional career as it breathes life into adult conversations and keeps the brain stimulated. For many women, the ideal job is not full time since time with their babe is also important. But unfortunately, full time work is often the only option.

To see what a new Bay Area company is doing to help parents fulfill their dreams, read more.

In an ideal world, many mamas would return to the workplace if they could negotiate a flexible schedule. A flex schedule allows working parents to "bend" the hours and days so that they can make the best of both worlds – family and career.

Realizing the need for experienced professionals and the lack of job opportunities for parents, three mothers started a company called Flexperience Consulting that matches skilled workers wanting flexible hours with companies looking for experienced workers. The result is a match made in heaven. Workplaces reap the benefits of practiced and talented employees while parents make the most of work and pleasure.

Some of the businesses that Flexperience Consulting works with are Levi's® Brand and PIXAR.

Eight–Year–Old Boy Wants To Go To Law School . . . Now

babysugar — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:00:04 -0800

When we asked you if you would let your child pursue a career, you were pretty split on the issue. In Olympia, Washington, the 10–year–girl needed her parents to accompany her through her work day. However, things are different in Brazil.

To see what a boy genius is up against, read more.

The New York Times reports that an eight–year–old Brazilian boy passed an entrance exam for Paulista University Law School. Problem is the institution is keeping him from attending as they want him to first complete grade school and high school.

While the child is obviously bright beyond his years, it doesn't seem to be an unreasonable request to have him finish the regular academic regimen. He'll likely breeze through ten years of schooling in no time! But, his papa doesn't agree. He's taking it to court to let the judges rule on the decision.

In the meantime, the Education Ministry has been asked to bar elementary school students from taking the test.

Tell us, do you think it's irrational to ask the tot to finish his regular schooling?
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Would You Let Your Child Have a Career?

LilSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 07:00:57 -0800

While most kids her age are skipping rope on the playground, 10-year-old Courtney Oliver is scrubbing in for surgery. The college graduate is a certified veterinary assistant at the South Bay Veterinary Hospital in Olympia, Washington. And since the animal lover's peers are in elementary school, the law requires Courtney's mom to stay with her while she works.

Would you let your lil prodigy move through life at a rapid pace?