Supermom

Lucy Kellaway, the FT columnist who writes on women in leadership positions, this week interviewed Nicola Horwick, who at 28 was a hugely successful investment banker - and mother of five small children. This woman sounds horrible based on the interview, but responded very well to coverage where she has been presented as "superwoman". She does not see herself this way, "with the amount of professional support" she has for childcare. Based on her job description, she actually sounded like a normal woman without children, and I again wondered what does being a mother entail? Just giving birth, and then giving your kids over to childcare 24/7? But would a father who does the same sound as horrible? Why is it that being a "superwoman" requires x hours of quality time per day with your kids, on your own? I am guilty of placing too many demands on myself in this respect. I wish I could just accept all help available and possible, and still feel like I am a "super" mother.