How She Really Does It: Secrets of Successful Stay-at-Work Moms (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the wake of major media attention paid to the complexity of women's professional choices during their childbearing years, Sachs, a former network television producer turned freelancer and mother of two, sets out to reveal winning strategies for mothers who wish to continue working after having children, interviewing celebrity and "everyday" moms about their decisions and work-life arrangements. Of course, there is no magic secret to reveal, but what Sachs does provide is an in-depth consideration of the successes and failures of various choices individual women have made. A major theme is the importance of being flexible in both schedules and expectations. The women also agree that excellent child-care options, supportive spouses and an ability to let go of perfectionism in all realms are key to obtaining a happy life/work balance. Stories from women like cosmetics entrepreneur Bobbi Brown, CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien and NBC News anchor Ann Curry provide motivating models of determination (though readers will note that these women can afford child-care choices unavailable to many). But celebrity splash aside, Sachs has a clear focus, examining the personal priorities of women who may or may not have the choice to continue working, but who all believe that their professional identity is an integral part of their satisfaction with life and a beneficial component in their ability to be good mothers. (May 1)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Movie titles pose the question. Book after book attempts to find the answer. And legions of psychologists and psychiatrists grapple with the issues hourly. Broadcast journalist Sachs does not even try; instead, she interviews more than 100 stay-at-work mothers to uncover tips, tricks, and techniques. Many celebrities grace her pages, all with very personal stories, including designer Vera Wang, who adopted two late in life; Soledad O'Brien and Ann Curry, brilliant TV anchors and loving moms; and even Sex in the City's Cynthia Nixon. Every aspect of "having it all" is explored, from pregnancy and maternity leave (163 countries--but not Australia and the U.S.--offer guaranteed paid leave in connection with childbirth) to women entrepreneurs and the new opt-out revolution (a five-year hiatus from the workplace). The consensus? It's up to the individual, with no neat and tidy answers. Or as former secretary of state Madeline Albright explains: "Women's lives don't go in a straight line, they zig-zag all over the place." Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews