Every working mom needs to take note of how to respond to that dreaded question about juggling career and family. The idea that women are solely responsible for figuring out how to “have it all” is not just outdated; it’s blatantly anti-feminist. Yet, working mothers often find themselves bombarded with inquiries about their work-life balance. Thankfully, author Jenna Fields tackled this question with flair during a recent interview that left everyone in awe.
Fields, a talented fiction writer and mother of two, sat down with the Harvard Gazette to discuss her writing process and her current fellowship at Radcliffe. Unsurprisingly, she was asked how she manages to balance her responsibilities as a mother with her prolific writing career. Instead of falling into the trap of answering, she delivered a response that was nothing short of spectacular.
Interview Excerpt
Interviewer: As a mother of two, you’ve published three novels and two short-story collections in just ten years. How do you navigate your work and family life?
Fields: I get that this question is crucial for many, especially fellow mothers who are also artists trying to get their work done. I genuinely sympathize with everyone facing this challenge. However, until I see a male writer asked this question, I’ll respectfully decline to answer.
“Until I see a male writer asked this question, I’ll respectfully decline to answer.” That should be engraved on my gravestone, folks! Fields’ response is the ultimate feminist rebuttal to the tiresome work-life balance question that often seems to target mothers alone.
Many others agree that this approach is not only refreshing but necessary for shifting the narrative around parenting and career. As a work-from-home mom with a toddler who’s glued to my side, I too receive constant inquiries about how I manage it all. While I understand the curiosity—juggling tasks with a toddler can feel monumental—it’s tiring. My partner has never been asked how he balances being a dad with his career. The mere thought of someone questioning him on that front is laughable.
So, the next time someone asks how we “do it,” let’s take a page from Jenna Fields and suggest they direct the same question to the men first.
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In summary, Jenna Fields’ bold dismissal of the work-life balance question exemplifies a powerful stance against outdated gender norms. Mothers should not bear the sole burden of balancing career and family, and it’s high time the narrative shifted.