Is that my hand? the toddler asks. Dozens of oversized color prints of her hand touching mine are scattered across the bed, ready to be bound into the book excerpts I am creating to bring to the United Nations. Yes, sweetie pie. Can I have one? she inquires. My immediate instinct is to say no. I promised to bring fifty copies. I can’t bring forty-nine. But as I look at her little face, I cannot say no. She has already asked to attend the conference where I am speaking, which is how I learned the UN has a minimum age limit of ten. None of my children can come. Here. This is your copy.
I have been working flat out ever since we brought our new car home. I snatch moments to sleep and #eat before tackling project after project. Articles. Conference calls. I am constantly aware of the time remaining before my UN talk. Four days to go. Three. Will I finish on time? On the final day, I finish the last call minutes before I have to leave to pick the kids up from school. The plan for the final hours lies before me in crisp black text on a white screen. I hit send on the email and head out the door.
Two years ago, I began writing a book. The goal? To share my experiences to help other parents create fulfilling careers while putting their families first. Today, the printer proofs sit on my laptop, awaiting my review. Once I sign off on them? Whenever anyone asks me what I do, all I will have to say is, read my book.
Kathy Zucker is an international social media Shorty Award winner, mother of three and a startup founder at companies including the Metro Moms Network®.
