Knitters, Runners, Writers and Local Business People are already great fans of the wonderful Daybreak Coffee House in Glastonbury, Connecticut.  For the 2013-2014 school-year Linda Kenneman and her brother Carmello also adopted Readers as their most enthusiastic fans by hosting a year-long book club.  At the first ever meeting, Linda hosted a packed house, yet the delicious coffee, tea and desserts were plentiful all night.  Linda and local author and Public Relations Expert, Wendy Paine Miller suggested that we break into groups of five or six.

It was back in 2008 that I found myself, at the age of 47—a published writer, former spokesperson for TV and radio, once well-known in my field—mopping up splattered spaghetti sauce from the kitchen floor and catching watermelon pop-ups,  while two small children took their best shot at killing each other from across the kitchen table.

As far as the business world was concerned, I’d hopped a flying egg-beater to Outer Mongolia and was forgotten with crushing ease and rapidity.

What had happened to my life?

I clearly remember holding my daughter in my arms for the first time 5 and half years ago. I know it is one memory that will be with me forever.

Being a mom is one of the greatest joys we experience. It’s life changing. We experience a Passion Shift the moment we hold our child in our arms. Everything changes.

However what I have come to realize on my journey into motherhood is that there is NOTHING that can prepare you for the profound shift that happens in your life when you become a mom. 

People, I’m about to make you all millionaires. Over the last seven months I’ve been making note of all the baby products and services I wish existed to make life easier and you lucky people are getting the exclusive. OK, millionaires might be a stretch but I can guarantee you at least one loyal customer.

I grew up with live-in nannies. Not many nannies at once of course, I’m not a Kardashian, but one nanny at a time over the course of my childhood. My parents both worked full-time jobs and needed someone around the clock to help take care of me and my brother.

After the birth of her first son, CT certified English teacher and successful Social Media Marketer and Blogger, Julie began taking part in the Silk City Striders 2010 Wickham Park Cross Country Series. Now a mom of two, Julie found that this same Running Series jump-started her exercise routine. Although I’m familiar with Wickham Park, I had never taken part in this particular race before. I knew that it would be enjoyable to attend the event with another local teacher, writer and runner.

Can you believe it? Summer's practically half over. And for many working moms it’s a continued juggle of work, family, life, kids out of school and trying to take care of ourselves.  

I've spent the last few months tuning in to a deeper calling, a mission if you will.

Here’s what it is.

After working with countless moms in my business as The Entrepreneurial Working Mom, I've discovered that the work isn't just about building a business.

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After returning to work from a 12-week maternity leave of which my pay consisted of a little short-term disability and what vacation days I had saved (which meant only using five days during my 40 weeks of pregnancy for sick or vacation), I tried to do it all. Why do we do this to ourselves? I was being cheap, or I had a lot of pride or a lot to prove (you pick), and I thought I could and should be able to put 125% into my roles as mother, wife and employee. Unfortunately, none of these areas can afford 40+% effort and I still needed six hours of sleep per night.

It’s easy to notice the mistakes of those around us, especially our kids.  After all, they’re little people, growing into adults so it’s normal that they’ll have a lot of mishaps along the way.  It’s also normal to hold them accountable so they can grow into responsible adults.  Sadly, on the journey to adulthood, oftentimes our fault-finding outweighs the positive aspects of the relationship with our children.