Featured Interview At galadarling.com!

November 30th, 2010 - filed under: Furthermore » Inspiration

Hey guys, just a quick note to let you know I was interviewed as part of a ‘career series’ over at the prolific and glitterific home of all things happy-making, galadarling.com. I’m thrilled to be able to represent for the work-at-home moms out there! So if you’re interested in learning a bit more about what I do, and why I do what I do, then check it out.

Gala doesn’t allow comments on her blog, so feel free to leave one here!

  • http://www.countryfried.wordpress.com Charley

    So awesome, I hope this herds loads of new people in your direction!

  • Nicole

    I’m a long time Gala reader, and thanks to her discovered your blog. I am so glad you contacted her and were eager to share your WAHM life. I stay at home with two kids, and am taking the first tentative steps to working at home as well. I am so grateful to find someone like you who has chosen to stay at home, loves it, and is thriving personally and professionally. Plus, I think you are a super kick ass example of how raising your children yourself can be an empowering and FEMINIST experience.

  • http://flightsofthevalkyrie.blogspot.com/ Valerie

    Great interview! I can’t believe you get all that done in one day. If I could be consistent about getting up at the same time each day maybe I could be just as productive. I think I’ve found my own personal MMM for December!

  • Court

    i am not a mother, but your schedule inspired me to update my day to include more walks. hooray!

  • http://urbanana.net Lauren

    I was so excited to see your interview because I had been thinking about e-mailing Gala to ask if I could do the same thing! I couldn’t have said everything you said so eloquently, though I feel exactly the same.

    I have a one year old and I was lucky enough to have a job that let me bring him to work with me. However, when he got to be ten months old and demanded more attention, I decided to stop working and stay home because I was struggling to balance the roles of working and being a mother. I couldn’t give either one 100% of my attention, so they were both suffering.

    I’m confident that I made the right decision – but only two months into staying at home, I’m still having some trouble with my time-management skills! Do you have any advice for how you stay motivated to get up so early every day, maintain a daily exercise schedule, and not feel tempted to just lay down and nap when Waits is napping? Do you ever deviate from your routine – and feel guilty about it?

    I’m too hard on myself for not getting more done each day, but then I remind myself that the only thing that really matters is that I’m here for my son and if the very least I do is care for him, then I’ve succeeded.

    But it would still be nice to work on my personal projects, my blog, work from home, etc :)

  • Tenise Rae

    Awe! What a great interview!! I love how positive you are…even when you do have those 16/100 moments, you pull right through em. ;)You are most definitely an inspiration. *hugs*

  • http://rethinkingstyle.com Tessa Zeng

    Hey Sayward! Just saw your interview & wanted to pop over to your blog… I’m so impressed with not only what you do, but how you’ve totally debunked the “stay at home mom” stereotype! I’d never thought too much of it before, but would have laughed at the idea if anyone ever suggested it to me. But now I’m on the cusp of striking out on my own, launching my own business, and starting a web movement… and all of a sudden, assumptions I used to hold about the kind of life I could live are all falling away. I used to think that I NEEDED To establish my career and work my ass off for like ten yrs before even thinking of getting married/having kids! Now I’m realizing that would be a sad way to pursue my dreams indeed.

    Thank you so much for demonstrating a new kind of freedom for women!

  • Tenise Rae

    Awesome!! *like*

  • Karen Lopez

    Terrific interview! Absolutely insightful. I love that you’re so dedicated to your role as, not only a wife and mother, but as a career woman as well. As a feminist, I’ve always focused on my career goals before planning a family, thinking all the while that once I did start my family I would have to give up my career. You completely contradict any stereotype about housewives/stay-at-home moms, and it’s tremendously empowering to know that traditional women roles are in absolute agreement with the more contemporary roles. Most of all, you give very realistic expectations–you don’t play it down, or make it more than it is (even though it really is a lot).
    I just want to say, congratulations for achieving this balance that once seemed so unattainable, and thank you so much for sharing your remarkable dedication and broadening points of view!

  • http://www.beckyhunter.co.uk Becky Hunter

    Really excellent interview. Definitely one of the best so far. You seem really comfortable with yourself and have a proper sense of purpose, which is marvellous to see, and an inspiration!

  • Kimi

    Wow. Thank you so much for getting in touch with Gala!! I’m not a mother (yet) but what you were saying resonated so much with what I one day want to be. I’m in a pretty damn good job now but it’s stressful and ultimately, it’s not what I want to do. Can’t quit it for now because I’m in the baby beginning steps of getting my own business started but– one day — I want to be like you. Thank you so much for sharing your life. I read the whole interview. I’m so glad to know there are pioneers like you out there living the life that I hope to live. Now I’m a fan of your blog! Thanks again.

  • http://www.colourfulwords.com.au/ Natalie

    I have never related to another mother so much as you when I read your interview with Gala. My kids are Kai (6) and Asha (3) and I still live/work very similarly to you and I just feel after all these years I keep tweaking and honing my life to make it the best it can be for both my kids and for me. Well done you!

  • Amanda

    So awesome! You are inspiring :]

  • http://indiearsenal.com Farmingtheburbs

    That was just what I needed. Great interview.

  • http://alternativehousewife.com Janine

    Loved it – Liked, retweeted and thumbs-upped on Stumble Upon! Love the bits about the bad parts of motherhood not sticking on your psyche – So true.

  • Meaghan

    Thanks for a phenomenal interview! You let me see motherhood in a new late, and I loved every second of it. xo

  • http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com Monika {windycityvegan}

    Such a fabulous interview! And I’m so glad that you stated that it’s HARD – because, no matter how much someone wants to be a WAHM, it *is* hard. (As it should be!)

    I tried my hand at being a WAHM for six months and the most difficult part about it was admitting that it just wasn’t the best fit for me, my daughter, my family. So my husband and I swapped places as work at home parent, and suddenly everything fell into place.

    Thank you for being so inspiring!

  • Megan G.

    I’ve been a Gala reader for a while now, & I have to say that I really loved your interview. Very insightful & even inspirational; a woman does not have to give up that much in order to take care of her babies. Not going to lie, I’ve always had a little fear of giving up so much for motherhood. Your interview gave so much light to the job of mothering, and I appreciate that greatly.

    Now, I have a question. You mentioned that you broke into the textbook writing business & molded science with writing. I love to write and I love science (I am an Animal Science junior right now) but I do not know how to mold the two together. Did you have an internship with writing you really enjoyed? Anything you wish you did in college to help your writing endeavor in science? I would really appreciate your input into that!

    Again, thank you for doing the interview & letting me find your wonderful blog! Hope you have a wonderful December. :)

  • jess

    Hey there,
    i rocked over via galadarling and just wanted to say that your site is gorgeous and inspiring and now firmly implanted into my “ready every day” bloglist.

    Thanks!

  • jess

    Hey there,
    i rocked over via galadarling and just wanted to say that your site is gorgeous and inspiring and now firmly implanted into my “read every day” bloglist.

    Thanks!

  • Heidi

    I’m a Gala reader and really happy that you were featured! So excellent to hear you story and I’m now a fan of your page, as well! Thank you for encouraging me to keep on with my vegan-ness!

  • http://penny-laine.blogspot.com Holly

    I read the feature… love it :) I have a 6 month old at home, I would give anything to be able to stay at home with him. Now I’m following you too!

  • Kat

    Hi Sayward,

    I’m a regular reader of BA and I just wanted to say that I LOVED your interview. I don’t have children (or any plans to have children) but I’ve always said that if I did, I’d stay at home with them. My friends usually give me crap about this, reminding me that I have a degree in gender studies and asking if I would really give up a career to raise babies. I’ve never found a good way to respond but your interview said most of the things I’ve always wanted to say. Thanks!

  • http://emilybreadcrumb.blogspot.com Emily Anne

    I loved your interview, Sayward… it’s great to hear another mama who I can relate to talk about her everyday life, and I really admire your commitment to your values and your work ethic.
    I will certainly be sticking around as a reader!

  • http://bonzaiaphrodite.com Sayward

    Wow, thank you all so much for such awesome feedback and support! I wish I had the time to respond to every comment, but I really appreciate all of them!

    @ Valerie – Great idea for a MMM!

    @ Lauren – Aw, thanks and it’s great to hear from other women with similar stories. I totally understand about being too hard on yourself – I am the exact ame way and even on the smoothest, most perfect day I never feel like I’ve accomplished enough. But it’s so true what you said – if at the end of the day all we’ve done is care for our kids, well then that’s a success. It’s important (for me!) to keep that in mind.

    I ‘stay motivated’ to get up so early because it’s the ONLY way I’ll get a shower in. And I ‘stay motivated’ to exercise because the pooch is dependent on me for a walk! Seriously, so much of what I do is pure necessity. But I’ve found a way to spin it positive and to make it mine. As you know, being a parent means giving up SO much control, haha. And yes, I do deviate from the schedule (though I try not to). Sometimes Waits won’t nap . . . then I don’t get to work. Oh well, I have to suck it up and move on. Sometimes I’m exhausted and I *do* pass out with him during his afternoon nap, but again this means no work time for me so I rally try to avoid it. I’ve mostly figured out how to prevent that by regulating blood sugar and limiting caffeine. Anyway, my point I guess is that I didn’t mean to represent myself as perfect! God no! It’s a struggle and I’m still learning and I think I always will be. Positive attitude goes a long way, you know?

    @ Monika {windycityvegan} – Yes! stay/work-at-home-dads are another great option! I know a lot of men who would fully embrace the roll (Damian included, if that had been the best situation for us). Definitel something to think about for the women who are thinking ahead on how their lives may unfold. This is a great option to consider!

    @ Megan G. – Yay, hello fellow scientist! Awesome that you study science AND would like to get into science writing! Unfortunately my own experience probably won’t be much help – I began working for one of my professors and that eventually led to writing text for his courses (essentially ‘eTextbooks’). So I’m not sure if that’s a model someone else could follow, though it never hurts to get to know your professors. Science and scholarship are all about connections! (isn’t everything?)

    As far as science writing, I think it’s absolutely crucial to read it if you want to write it, so I’d start there. Carl Zimmer is my fave, a super awesome dude. Parasite Rex is a RAD book and even profiles the lab where I did my research!

    You should also build up a body of work so you’ll have some good stuff to submit when you find the good internships – which ARE out there if you Google around for science writing/science journalism. Why not stat a science blog? Or, try to get a science column in your University paper. My good friend started an awesome blog at http://sciencegeist.net/ and I’m pretty sure they’re accepting guest posts, hint hint. =)

    Hope that helps a bit. It’s all about just getting out there! Luck!

    ~~~

    Rereading all these comments is so heartwarming. THANK YOU all. So great to hear from and connect with so many awesome women! <3 <3 <3

  • http://theamberlily.com/ Lily

    Sayward, what an awesome interview!! I love how you are so authentic, and I love your lifestyle. It’s more or less what my husband and I want for ourselves, what we are working towards, and in some ways what we have. Thanks for the encouragement! :)

  • http://www.earthempress.com Shakaya Breeze

    Beautiful…I was very touched at the end by all the things that you aren’t…it powerfully portrayed what you ARE. Parenting is a course in miracles where mindfulness is required at every turn. It is my spiritual discipline and deepest bliss. I too am savoring my mothering career; as well, I am driven to express other sides of myself and finding that ‘sweet spot’ is a daily dance for most women…I believe we teach what we most need to learn…Continued blissings on your perfect path.

  • Sandra

    Awesome interview! I always love reading your blog!

  • http://www.raw-bento.com astrorainfall

    You are amazing! I’m a longtime Gala follower and am so glad to have found your blog thru her. You make being a vegan mama look so cool.

  • Kelly H.

    AWESOME! And shared with my FB family!