On Working Parents (& Friday links)

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Have you seen Robin Roberts interviewing Michelle Obama at the White House Working Families summit? One clip, where they talk about the balance of family and work—and in which the First Lady candidly shares an anecdote about bringing Sasha to an interview (for VP of the University of Chicago Hospital) as a “breastfeeding mother of a four-month-old” without a babysitter—has been widely shared.

I recommend watching from 5:30 to 12:30 of the interview, in particular (embedded below), but I really loved a lot of what she had to say.

She speaks from a place of privilege: “We live in the White House now. This is not about us.” But I am especially impressed by how she articulates the pitfalls of going part-time as a means to “having it all” without—I think—saying anything that might alienate working or stay-at-home parents, or should put anyone on the defensive.

Red, blue, whatever: Now that’s a minefield, right?

What do you think?

Some more items for your weekend…

On a related note, I enjoyed this article by Lauren Knight. Stay-at-home moms, how do you answer the question “what do you do all day?”

And we read a lot about the challenges women face balancing careers and motherhood—how do working dads feel about the same subject?

Ok, enough about the serious side of all that. These made me (and Aron) laugh out loud… and also speak volumes. So good.

For celebratory mornings: a pancake birthday cake.

A trip recalledby the strength of its coffee, its oddly-shaped fashions, its boat trip freckles.”

A hilarious response to unsolicited advice: “Hello Stranger on the Street, Could You Please Tell Me How to Take Care of My Baby?

Do you ever get lost in the AirBnB listings? She did too: Wanna stay in a trailer?

For Northern Californians or those planning to visit: an amazing hand-drawn map of little-known gems around the city.

Columbus day is apparently a good holiday for sales. FYI: 30% off at Madewell with code OHFALL and 50% all JCrew Factory this weekend.

And finally, congratulations to Aron’s mom, Christine Bruhn! We’re going to be celebrating her receipt of an Award of Distinction from UCD tonight!

Have a great one!

 

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