Working Moms: What Are Your Secrets to Finding Balance? (Take Our Survey!)

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen, REDBOOK


"My mom works in a chocolate factory," is how my preschooler answered the job question on his About My Mom survey. I don't. Wishful thinking, much? (Of course, this was the same survey where he said I am 90 years old and my favorite hobby is chores.) But as a freelance writer, author, blogger and nighttime SAT essay grader, I can see why he was confused. And let's not forget my less official but equally important titles of bum wiper, lunch maker and taxi driver. Frankly, the chocolate factory sounds pretty awesome right now.

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I know I'm not alone in my juggling act. Every mom, no matter if she works in the home, from the home or outside the home, has to figure out how to balance all her many responsibilities. And it's tough! (Parenting lesson #350: Anything involving little kids is a lot of work.) But having been on both sides, first as a teacher with young kids at home and now as a stay-at-home mom who also works from home, I can tell you there are some issues that are unique to each position.

Related: The Busy Mom's Back-to-School Guide


This month, Redbook and Yahoo! Shine want to hear how moms who work outside the home tackle the challenges that come with having to bringing home the bacon and cook it (and then clean up the grease spatters, bandage the little finger that got burned touching it and outline your presentation on bacon for tomorrow). Share with us-and other moms!-your secrets to living a balanced life and your frustrations when sometimes it all falls apart anyhow. We want to hear it all! If you're a working mom between 25 and 45, take our survey to tell us all about it.

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