The Momager Guide

“What is a Momager© and How Does She Lead?”

“Being a mother, as far as I can tell, is a constantly evolving
process of adapting to the needs of your child while also
changing and growing as a person in your own right.”
Deborah Insel, Founder, Helping Teens Succeed

     Leadership is important in all areas of life, but leading as a mom is essential. I had my own epiphany about this one cold November morning that I will always remember. As my five-year-old daughter, Tina Rose and I left our cozy, warm home and ventured out into the cold, dark morning, we noticed the stars shining brightly, and the icy air took our breath away. 

     We were walking, hand-in-hand to my daughter’s bus stop, looking up at the bright stars and feeling the comfortable silence of being together. 

     My daughter looked up at me and asked, “Mommy, do I go to daycare after school today?” 

     “No honey, today I will be home after school and we’ll spend the rest of the day together,” I responded.

     Tina jumped up and down and yelled. “Hip Hip Hooray, today’s a Mommy Care© day!”

     Of all the people in the entire world, my daughter wanted me to guide her.   As the bus drove away, I walked back home with tears freezing on my cheeks and eyelashes. A range of emotions washed over me.  I felt joyful that she was so happy we spend days together. (Perhaps she forgot the yelling mom). I felt sadness that these times were passing so very quickly and I wished I could stop time – if only for a while. (How many times before, had I thought, when are they going to grow up?!)   I felt guilt that perhaps she was spending too much time in day care and away from me.  (How can two days a week be too much?  Especially after I spent years sacrificing financially and professionally to work only two days each week.)  Am I doing enough as a mom?  What am I doing as a mom?  As mothers, we have the dubious distinction of being able to feel dozens of conflicting emotions simultaneously.

     My discovery was more brilliant than the brightest star in that black predawn sky.   I AM A MOM AND I AM A LEADER!   That day, I wanted to shout it from the rooftop.  (As if the neighbors need another thing to chat about.)   The realization touched my core and shook me awake to a new reality.  Leadership wasn’t reserved to my work outside the home.  Leadership wasn’t solely the domain of men in business and government.  What could possibly be more important than leading today’s children – tomorrow’s leaders? 

     That day I began to form a new understanding and appreciation of a woman’s career as a mom.  Today, my career is as a leader and mom, a MOMAGER©.  And, thanks to my daughter, the term Mommy Care© days was born.   Mommy Care© days are the precious days that moms and children spend together.  Mommy Care© days are the days when Mom is the leader!  And so, the journey began for me to be a mom who leads her family instead of following.

     Motherhood has bittersweet moments.  Leadership does too. I was determined to become a leader in my home.  The problem was, I didn’t have anywhere to go to learn how to do this.  My mother was not a career woman, and other women I talked to all seemed to be “surviving” or “juggling” but did not seem content and satisfied. They didn’t seem to be having fun or enjoying life. I had no role models.  I couldn’t relate to the leaders I saw on TV.  They all seemed so put together and perfect.   I realized something different needed to be created to achieve success in this new marketplace.  The difference was a change in perspective regarding the deepening value of what women really do in all areas of their lives.

     Learning how to become a Momager© will provide you the opportunity to change both your present situation and your future in positive and powerful ways. Being a mom has empowered my life and taught me how to be a stron