Have a private laugh

As a husband of a more-than-busy working mom, I am all-too-aware that my day will never be as busy or as challenging as the super woman who sleeps on the other side of the bed. I am OK with that … and it didn’t take 20 years for me to get it, either.

I am, however, quite happy to have found a book that will provide the mom in our house a few smiles, if not a few outright laughs. It’s called Peeing in Peace: Tales and Tips for Type A Moms by Beth Feldman and Yvette Manessis Corporon and it’s funny, inspiring and informative all at once.

Feldman and Manessis Corporan have somehow managed to combine careers with parenthood. Their insightful tales and tips come from their own experience of trying to balance their climb up the corporate ladder with emergency trips home to get a feverish baby to the doctor on time.
“Between the pages of this book, you will find your community, your confidants, and often times, co-conspirators,”

Feldman and Manessis Corporan write. “Remember, there’s strength in numbers and if we just stick together, there isn’t a diaper, dilemma or deadline we can’t overcome.”

They’re not kidding, either. These two have figured out the art of call forwarding and using a Blackberry to fool everyone at the office into thinking you’re right there when, in fact, you’re volunteering at Brownies.

If nothing else, Peeing in Peace provides a reality check for all the Type A moms out there who could use some advice on giving themselves a break every now and again. Each chapter of the book comes with a reality check that deals with everything from clothes to sage advice on “having it all”:

“The key is realizing that having it all means different things at different stages in your life. When it comes to your career, there’s nothing wrong with taking a baby-induced detour or staying on the train and moving full steam ahead.

Sometimes the smartest business advice is to simply trust your instincts and follow your passion. In the end the choices you make along your journey will ultimately guide you to exactly where you want to be.”

The two authors are also the creators of Role Mommy (www.rolemommy.com), an “online community and virtual coffee klatch for today’s busy moms” and their book certainly serves as a great introduction to the site. Everything about this book makes sense – not only is the content entertaining and informative, the actual book is tiny and easy to read in quick bursts.

Here’s hoping that my wife will find some time to read it without having to hide in the toilet for a few minutes of peace and quiet.