Women - Delaying Motherhood For the Sake Of A Career

I am one of those women who grew up in the age of empowerment. I grew up with the belief that all things are possible. My mother taught me that with determination, a good education and work ethic I could achieve anything. We never discussed one big issue - Family.

I assumed that I would finish my education, get a great job and get married. I had no idea or concern of time. Like many American women, I waited to have children. I had my first son at the age of 31. It was not until, I turned 30 that I learned of all of the horrors surrounding infertility. I had spent my 20's trying NOT to get pregnant. I had no idea that so many women spent their 30's trying TO get pregnant and that I would be one of them.

Now, I am 35 and wondering why I wasted so many years? If you are a professional and a mom over the age of 30 please share your experiences and thoughts.

Tawana Wood, Entrepreneur, Mom, and Wife

Shifting Home Balance

The Home Balance is Shifting – Men are being hit harder by the recession than women

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, men reported a higher unemployment rate than women for the Month of June with a 2.3 percentage-point difference. According to published statistics, men experienced a 10.6% unemployment rate and women a slightly less rate of 8.3%. Both numbers reflect the highest rates ever recorded since record keeping began in the 1940’s.

Much of this is due to the fact that industries typically dominated by men have been hit harder – construction, manufacturing, and auto.

Industries that appear to be showing some sign of gain are private sector – healthcare and education and those have a high concentration of women, typically more than 51%. The healthcare industry gained more than a half a million jobs and education more than 100,000 since the recession began in December 2007. Both sexes have been impacted by the recession and both nearly doubled since the beginning, in Jan 2008 women’s unemployment was 4.7% and men’s were just over 5%.

Has this affected your home balance?