@ 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!

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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

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!