Supermum – fact or fiction?

“For a very long time now I've been saying to young women, you can have it all, but not all at the same time.”  - Her Excellency, Quentin Bryce (Australia’s current Governor-General).

Wow, right?

In one short sentence our G-G eloquently clarifies the question that is often bandied about but rarely answered. Can women, mothers in particular, have “it all” – career, marriage, kids and happiness?

Yes! BUT not all at once!

Huh?

When you think about it it’s pretty obvious that having “it all” is near impossible. Something always has to give - yet most mothers (and fathers too) pressure themselves to live up to certain ideals.

For women today there is a big focus on so-called Supermums.  The phrase can take on different meanings but generally it refers to women that appear to stay on top of care giving duties, paid work, family/social commitments as well as things like losing weight post baby.

But the truth is Supermums don’t really exist. Even for the most efficient operators out there, something always has to give – even if what that is, is not obvious to the outside world.

Our fabulous G-G backs me up when she goes on to comment (in the same interview) that women achieving balance in life is difficult.

“It's easier to be a workaholic than to have a truly balanced life. It's very tough for a lot of women teetering on that tight rope of balance and balancing too many responsibilities,” she says.

One little misstep or miscalculation and we fall. But what makes mums special in my mind is the way we keep getting right back up and learn from our mistakes (even if we make them a few times over). Now that’s super!