This year I've spent quite a bit of time in the air: 217,390 miles to be exact.  My college sophomore needed my help with an upcoming exam. My school-age son had a book report and a big science project.  I was not in the same time zone to help. With all the time I've spent away from home in recent months my MAXIMOM guilt index had just about reached its peak. That's when my 8-year-old son uttered three words that changed my world. "Don't Quit Mom."

Having been on the road for 6 days with 5 more to go, my young son was on the phone telling me how much he missed me.  He understood that I was coming home on Friday, but leaving again on Sunday for another week away. I felt horrible.  My mind totally negated the fact that just a week earlier I had taken off of work to spend the entire day at the school to work the book fair and help with the Halloween festivities.  In the midst of his whimpering, I asked him if he thought I should get a job that let me stay home more.  His tone changed. The whimpering (clearly for effect) disappeared and he shouted, "What! Don't quit Mom. I  miss you but I don't want you to quit your job."

He went on to explain how proud he was of me and how cool it was that I travel to different countries. He likes his growing collection of foreign currency and enjoys telling his classmates that his mom is in Germany, Argentina, China, or Korea. I released a long, cathartic sigh and then smiled.  I realized I needed to cut myself a break.

We all need to cut ourselves a break.  The potential damage in our mind is much worse than what's actually happening in our homes when we are away. Despite what some may say, our career choices and aspirations are not inversely proportional to how much we love our children.  A successful "work/life manager" has the ability to stay realistic about the way the scales sometimes tip to one side or another.  This month my scale is weighed to the ground on the work side and my guiltometer was in the red zone. Rarely are the sides level and you will drive yourself mad trying to get both in perfect balance.

I am grateful to have an exciting, fruitful career that I love with managment that respects my right to be a hard worker and a great mom. A MaxiMOM.  You should feel good about your choice to work and have a family. So the next time you are walking through the airport or down the empty hallways of the office late at night, remember the words of a wise 8-year-old, "Don't quit Mom".