A U.S. News and World Report blogger wrote that women who pursue difficult vocations – like political office or being an Olympic-caliber athlete – while simultaneously raising young children often receive, shall we say, unkind feedback.

“’Ruining their lives,’ ‘Selfish and self indulgent,’ or ‘overambitious.’ These are all characterizations given to women who choose to. . . GASP. . . have children while in political office,” wrote Morgan E. Felchner. “But the issue isn’t limited to public office. Women at law firms, advertising agencies, and professions across the spectrum are sometimes shoved into the closet, if not out the door, when they decide to have a family. If they maintain their position or advance, they then begin a balancing act akin to walking the balance beam to ensure their children are well cared for and they are excelling in their own right.” (August 2008)