There's a line in the movie "Marley and Me" that stayed with me long after the film credits rolled.  Dog lover or not, the film is truly heartwarming and about a lot more than just a naughty dog -- it's also about the choices we make as we morph from a couple into a family, and the joy, pain, and growth that we experience along the way.  One line in the film, however, did sting a little.  Jennifer Aniston's character says "I don't want to be one of those moms who only sees her kids for an hour each night.  "Ouch, I thought.  I am one of those moms.

I am the mother of two young boys -- a toddler and an infant.  I adore them and their father, and would do absolutely anything for my family.  I went back to work when my first son was three months old.  I knew going into it that I would need to be a working mom, but no one told me how hard it actually is to try and do it all.  It didn't seem fair.  I have a great job, doing marketing for a place and a product that I love, and I have worked so hard in my career to get to where I am.  I was even promoted when I was seven months pregnant!  How crazy is that?!?  And now that I was a mom, how could I just quit?  I am not a quitter!  But my baby needs me!  What am I going to do???  I have never felt so torn in my life.

Soon after I went back to work, I started down this "woe is me" path (geez...as if I was the only working mom struggling with these issues.  Gimmie a break...I am among millions of smart, talented moms who are doing this every day).  But I couldn't help it.  It was a difficult adjustment.  

And then I had an idea!  What if I started my own business, doing something that would offer me more flexibility than a corporate job?  Surely I could figure that out.  And soon after that I had one of those moments with a newborn where I was looking for a product that didn't yet exist -- a burp cloth that does not fall off your shoulder.  So I invented the BurpieBlocker and continued with my day job with a new sense of power.  I was making the choice to work but I had an exit strategy...maybe not an immediate fix (still need to pay the mortgage) but definitely a long term solution.

Burp cloths seemed like a simple enough product.  It surprised me how involved it actually was to make.  I learned about the textile industry and that there are cutters and sewers, fabric suppliers and those who make trim -- all different resources.  But I was determined and I am proud of the burp cloths I made.  I wanted a soft and absorbent material so I chose 100% cotton fabrics from local vendors.  In the end, while the neck strap makes the BurpieBlocker special, the base fabric is really the most important quality in a burp cloth.  But I digress...

It's all about choices.  That empowering shift in thinking set me free.  Once I embraced the choices I was making, I regained the upper hand.  I was in control of my destiny.  Nobody was forcing me to do anything.  So whether you choose to stay at home, work full time or something in between, it's your choice!  You have the power to do whatever is best for you and your family.

And while the practical realities of paying our mortgage and car payments, insurance bills and utilities do keep me motivated to work, there is something else -- pride.  I am proud of the work I do outside of the home -- not as proud as the work I do at home for my family, but pretty darn proud.

And even though I am one of those moms who only sees her son for an hour (or two) each night, I gotta say, it's the best hour of the day.