In the scope of life’s highs and lows, yesterday really stood out. I woke up to the realization of a dream– the Second Shift was profiled in the NY Times! The day went by in blur of congratulatory phone calls and emails and women signing up for membership and companies posting jobs. I was floating on a cloud . . .until my six year old son’s school called to tell me nobody had come to pick him up. Oops – I totally forgot that his Thursday after-school program ended last week! I naturally started freaking out, but the sweet woman and fellow working mom that I was on the phone with wound up comforting me; telling me to take a deep breath and run out to get him. I jumped on the subway frantic and nearly in tears, until I realized that he was safe and well taken care of, and that it was neither the first nor the last time this has and will happen. The irony of having a business about balancing work and family and the lack of balance in my own life is not lost on me. I try to laugh it off but we mothers put so much stress on ourselves. Balancing a growing businesses, two little kids in two schools and a a zillion other life commitments means that things fall through the cracks and we have to cut ourselves and others a little slack. I find that I am good at being empathetic to others and I have to remember to show myself the same kindness.