Politics can be incredibly ruthless. You’re often in an all-consuming, 24/7 news cycle of cynics, cutthroat competition and information overload. As someone that has lived and breathed politics since I was a 17-year-old that had stars in my eyes anytime I landed into DCA, it’s been my life.
And then at age 42 I became an instant mom.
After 6 years of struggling with infertility, my husband and I decided to become foster parents. We were late-time parental bloomers. Up until then, my time was wholly immersed in my career and any hours outside of the workplace involved political meetings and activities, with Fox News or a political podcast on the background at all times. And yet, for every political win or opportunity, there was still that urge for motherhood and something more. During our foster care certification classes, we had to do a bubble exercise, where we drew various sized bubbles around the things that added and took value from our lives and schedules. Hobbies, work, family, you name it. And I knew that when I shared my bubble drawing with my class, that the biggest bubble that I knew would require reshaping would be the one that said “POLITICS”.
And when that wonderful, perfectly flawed little boy came into our house, I was given a real life lesson in changing the bubble priorities.
Fast forward to three years. That little yearning for politics in the back of my heart continued to push its way forward. My son (I still love saying the word son, thankful to finally be legal!) is still my world. I decided to start the Jones Strategy Group LLC so I could offer my political talents – but with one giant caveat. Family would ALWAYS come first. And that’s just what I’ve done. Sometimes I’ve had to get creative (“bring your intern to work day” is our constant family joke) and sometimes I’ve had to sacrifice a potential work contract because Ethan is ultimately the real CEO of JSG LLC.
But making that choice to prioritize my son as much as possible has been the best decision I could make. Moms already move mountains – we get more accomplished in a day than before many are even awake. As a friend that works as a career recruiter for conservative clients, he told me that “Moms make the best employees because they get stuff done and FAST!”. I’ll never apologizing for my choice to raise a strong WEE-Publican while balancing client demands.
Mike Huckabee was asked his #1 advice at a recent client event. He told us to quit watching the 24/7 news cycle 24/7. Take some time to remember that there’s a world beyond the ticker – you’ll never get back those precious moments if you don’t break out of the bubble. And that advice has stuck with me as I shape this new company. Cross the finish line with your client – but also remember that we are all people with other people that love and depend on us.
So, when I had the chance a couple of weeks ago to bring my son along for work events during his spring break, I decided he would be the company intern/co-pilot as we weaved meetings in between touring historical landmarks, looking for wildlife at roadside parks and finding the best hole in the wall restaurants. And it was worth every second to unplug a bit and be in the moment. Working parents: don’t feel guilty about embracing work/life balance. It will work itself out and you won’t miss those core memories.
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