Brian Ford comments that having children is infinitely better than any "job"-I
agree. However, it's not infinitely better than any "career", and there is a
difference.
While I have to admit that my stress/busyness level is incredibly high, I'm
doing both and wouldn't want to do either one alone. There are days when the
science just plain stinks, nothing works, and I wonder whether this is worth
it. That's the day one of my teenagers gets his driver's license or discovers
the girl next door, and life gets put in perspective. And when I realize they
are growing up and will soon be gone, or that I can't mend broken teenage
hearts, I remember I have my science to work on, where I can accomplish
something.
These are the things to look forward to in the diapers-and-daycare stage, when
I often wondered if it was worth it. And yes, I think partners who are both
willing to comprimise are required. I think you cannot have the best of both
worlds of work and parenthood, but you can have the "pretty good" of each, and
in some ways, that's better for both you and the children.
Julie Keith
