Another Working Mom Bites the Dust….?

Hopefully by now everyone has heard that Gov. Sarah Palin has decided to resign as Governor of Alaska. Taking over at the end of this month will be Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell. News reports state that her decision was made after she decided not to run for re-election and motivated in part by a “higher calling.” What that higher calling is, who knows, maybe hopes for a higher office in 2012?

Whatever her decision, she made a reference to some mean spirited comments made about her youngest son, Trig. Why any person would make mean comments about any child, especially one with down syndrome, is beyond me and appalling. But here is my question. Would a father resign from the highest political office in his state and site mean spirited comments towards his child as part of his reason? Even if it’s a tiny part? I think not. Is this a decision that only a working mom would use? I think yes.

Palin’s story makes me question whether a woman can be accomplished in her career and a happy parent all at the same time? Regardless of your career, whether it’s an attorney making partner at the firm, teacher turned principal, real estate agent turning broker, it seems like once you move up your career ladder, the consequences it has on your family are great. As a result, many women seem to retire or step back from her high demanding job.

Is this always the case for working moms, or is it just sometimes the case? What do you think?