The M Factor: How Motherhood & Work Is Changing—Or Not

Just ahead of Mother’s Day, it’s prime time to examine the changing M Factor influencing the role motherhood plays in the workplace. Some say it is changing for the better. Some say it is the same.

Others say mothering in this culture—often referred to as the Motherhood Penalty-- is worse, thanks to COVID and economic factors forcing women to take on traditional roles.

And those who voluntarily embrace the “trad wife” role newly popularized on TikTok, say that full time parenting when not working remotely or out of the house is a welcome return to the 1950s era of stay at home moms. Still some trad wives find themselves without options if they face divorce.

Payback Time: Gift Yourself & Moms Leading Forward For Mother’s Day

The pandemic has been particularly difficult for women with children in the workforce. Over more than a year of economic uncertainty, remote work, remote learning for children and largely unavailable childcare, women have toasted two Mothers Days—2020 and 2021.

It is time to celebrate the mothers among us who are facing, meeting and managing these challenges.

The Sum: Mother’s Day in a Pandemic

Issue 128 — May 10, 2020

The phones are ringing, the texts are buzzing, social media notifications are pinging, and the Zooms and Zoom Rooms are being scheduled throughout the day to connect with family members so we can wish each other Happy Mother’s Day (almost) in person.

Inspirational Role Models, The SumGloria FeldtMay 10, 2020Mother's Day, Motherhood, Women leadership, Take The LeadComment

Solving The Parent Trap: How Policies, Empathy and No Bias At Work Help Moms

In the U.S., nearly 25 million moms are in the workforce, and  most, or 70 percent of mothers with children under 18 are working. Nearly 75 percent of these mothers are employed full-time. Nearly half, or 40 percent, of those working mothers are the sole or primary breadwinners for their family.

The Top Five Things I Learned From My Children

Last week I did an interview with Dr. Portia Jackson for her daily podcast on her website Working Motherhood. It’ll be up on their site in a few days and I’ll share it then.

Thank You, Mom

In honor of Mother’s Day, I want to take a moment to write a letter to one of the most inspirational people in my life; my mom. The bond my mom and I share is incredible. She has always been there when I need her and on this Mother’s Day, I’ll be sure to thank her for it.

Inspirational Role ModelsChris DeFilippiMay 8, 2014inspiring women, Mother's Day, Role ModelsComment

Why Haven’t I Lacked Self-Confidence?

I read an article in The Atlantic last week about the vast “confidence gap” that separates the sexes, and it made me ponder why I haven’t suffered from the same self-doubts that afflict so many women. The article’s authors, Katty Kay and Claire Shipman, point to several studies showing that women not only lack confidence about their performance and careers but often under-estimate their abilities—in contrast to men, who generally have few doubts about their competence or capacities. This lack of self-assurance holds women back because, it turns out, confidence matters as much as competence in achieving professional success.

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