Can You Have It All, Mom? Yes, Just Not All at Once! Let Me Explain... by Ronnie Olesker

Recently, I lost out on a professional opportunity to go teach in Thailand (Thailand!) because the housing that was offered with the job could not accommodate my family of five. For the first time since having my three children, I was confronted with the high costs of missed professional opportunities for parents.

Before kids, my identity was wrapped up in my demanding job as a university professor. My professional motto was, “Say yes!” – to everything. Many women in my profession often end up childless because of the demands of the job. My job affords me amazing opportunities but increasingly, I am turning most of them down. I now realize I can still have it all, I just can't have it all at once.

Thailand will have to wait, and the kids won't be young forever.