I have been on the road traveling for 37 of the last 60 days. Even for me, that is a record. I have missed my small people desperately, but also truly love the work I do.
When I arrived home this past week after my 6th trip since the end of July, I realized that my girl hadn’t texted me with an update from school (her first year as a high-schooler). When I asked her why she had only reached out to her dad, she was contrite, but matter-of-fact….”Mom, I forgot you were home.”
It reminded me so very much of a conversation I had with her when she was about 6 years old. It went like this, “Mom….did you choose your job?” My proud peacock reply (thinking she was proud of her working mother), “Why yes, I did little girl, why?”Her reply left me both speechless and fighting back tears, “Then why would you ever choose a job that takes you away from me so much?”
Here’s the thing – no one said motherhood would be easy. And they definitely didn’t say juggling motherhood with a career would be either. But I know this: I want my kids to know I was capable of being both – a present mother who makes MOST softball and baseball games, who loves a family dinner and works hard to be there for bedtime – but ALSO never stops being who she wanted to be when she grew up.
It is a never ending battle of love and guilt, feeling like I’m the best mother on the planet and also failing miserably.
Enter Johnson & Johnson.
I’ve long been proud to work with them, to support the work they do for the good of children and mothers, and to fill my home with so many of their products.
J&J has made the Working Mother 100 Best Companies List – again. Here’s why:
For more than 30 years, J&J has made the Working Mother 100 Best Companies List – and no surprise – they have done it again for 2018. This achievement – after 30 years – may seem commonplace, but, on the contrary, it is extraordinary. Allow me to share a few things about J&J you may not know:
*J&J was one of the first companies to HIRE women. Of their first 14 employees, 8 of them were women.
*In 1944, they provided women with paid maternity leave AND guaranteed they wouldn’t lose seniority (there are still companies who can’t claim the same today.) Today, at J&J, both working moms and dad are guaranteed paid leave.
*If you travel for business while nursing….you can ship your breast milk home at no cost using a temperature-controlled delivery service.
*Adoption and Fertility are a top priority – U.S. employees can take advantage of adoption assistance benefits up to $20,000, as well as fertility treatment benefits up to $35,000; and there are childcare centers for employees at six company locations.
I have always made it a priority to support companies that do good in the world – and J&J tops the list…but knowing that I am committed to a brand that helps not only children, but mothers like me who regularly battle the juggle of being a present mother and someone who wants to show their kids that it is POSSIBLE to be both mom and career woman? It’s just a little slice of magic.
Disclosure: I’m proud to be partnering with J&J to share what healthy living looks like – for me that is a committment to family and to myself. As always, all thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.
Johnson and Johnson is a brand I love and have loved for a long time! Now I love them even more.
Our family uses many Johnson & Johnson products. A highly reputable brand!
I had no idea they were such trailblazers on this front! That makes me love them even more.
I am glad that you found a company that works well for you. That is something that many people are still trying to achieve.
Wow, I did not know this at all. This is amazing support for women and families in general. I will have to do more reading on Johnson and Johnson I guess.
My parents were huge patrons of J&J products. It was also my choice of baby products when I became a mother myself. Love that it is so gentle on baby’s skin (and for adults too)! It is no surprise that they made the list of 100 Best Companies!
The same is true for me. I grew up with their products and they were my first choice for all things kids/family.
I already loved them, now I love them more. Awesome to hear a bit about their history too.
That is exactly how I feel!
I use loads of their stuff but (embarrassingly) didn’t realise that they were such big supporters of women’s rights. I’ll be stocking up even more on their products when I next go to the shops as a result of this though! I love that it’s been this way for the start from them, rather than as a response to the recent wave of feminism.
YES. Everything you just said. I’ve always known they were a supporter of moms/families and knew their work environment was supportive as well, but my recent trip to their headquarters was enlightening in regards to their history. I love it.
This is awesome! I love companies who support moms and women!
I feel exactly the same way – and do everything to support.
I love that they put mothers…and families first. Being a mom/wife is my 1st job/priority no matter where I work.
I am with you – being a mother is the greatest gift.
What a great company. We love their products. That is a huge commitment and I’m so glad to hear that they are so generous to all of their employees
This is so incredible, I loved them before and love them still! 😉