A Secret to Working Mom Success: Give Yourself Grace

Me at the White HouseThe other evening I had to attend a board meeting followed by a reception. I participated in the board meeting on the phone. However, I arrived for the reception in person. I was starving. So, I was glad to see that there was quite a spread laid out for our enjoyment. I wound up being the first person in the line to get food.And although I was there by invitation like everyone else, I was self-conscious about being first in line. I also felt guilty though because I knew I had to leave early to pick up my daughter. In true me fashion, I expressed my guilt out loud to a woman I met. I swear sometimes guilt comes up and out of me like a geyser. It is probably my Catholic schooling...So, I meet this woman, a fellow board member, who I am sure was there to network and have a good time and not provide life-changing therapy. And yet, that is what she did. When I mentioned that I was feeling guilty about eating and running, especially since I participated in the meeting by phone, she reframed the entire scenario in a way that...