O: Open Flexible Work

When we try to fit together the pieces of the puzzle we call our work and family lives, often there’s a piece missing, another ripped in half, or one whose place we simply cannot find.

Today's New York Times has a front-page article discussing Sarah Palin's combination of political career and motherhood, describing how she regularly carried her son Trig in a sling to hearing

I wanted to point you to Sue Shellenbarger's latest Wall Street Journal column, "How Stay-at-Home Moms Are Filling an Executive Niche." I participated in the project at UNC's Kenan-Flagler business school that Shellenbarger writes about as a win-win-win for the school, MBA students, and mothers who were recruited and trained to serve as managerial role players and assessors.

The brief, intense experience allowed mothers to hone their work skills, step in to an executive role, and earn some income in a flexible work situation.

I wrote more about this experience on my Mojo Mom blog. One of my colleagues called us the SWAT team -- Smart Women with Available Time -- and we were able to assemble on short notice to fill important teaching roles for the business school. It was a fascinating project and I hope this business news coverage will remind employers that mothers are a fantastic resource to call on.

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I was driving the other day and suddenly thought how luxurious it felt to focus on one task. All I had to do was drive safely! In fact, it’s the law that I pay attention to the road at all times. What a cakewalk!

Jessica DeGroot from The Third Path Institute and I have recently been discussing some of the factors that help dads get more involved with their families. Here's #1 on her list:

There's been a lot of writing lately regarding the new generation that's crept into their Twenties and are now seeking their own slice of the American Pie. Words like 'narcissistic' and 'most self centered' are used fairly liberally towards this new crop of kids.

There’s been some activity recently in the media revolving around the ‘Daddy Wars’ term and I’ve been hesitant to support it, but the tide for me seems to be turning in my mind.

Exciting news from the US House of Representatives: a bill has been introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy and Representative Carolyn Maloney that mirrors flexibility laws in place in several European countries.

Workplace discrimination against women, especially those with any sort of care-giving responsibilities, can be subtle.

But sometimes it's so obvious, all you can do is shake your head like Scooby-Doo and say, "RUH??"

The scenario most working mothers fear happens when they least expect it.

You've managed to transform your home into a well-oiled machine -- the nanny or sitter arrives in time for you to head out to the office, deal with rush hour traffic, grab a cappuccino and be at your desk milliseconds before your boss walks by your door.