ThE
juGGLiNG acT
caLLiNG aLL suPErMOMs—
WE caN LEarN FrOM Each OThEr
as I write this issue’s column, I am surrounded by piles of box- es, packing materials, and bubble wrap. My “office” has been
Jo DAmAto
reduced to me and this laptop. Life is organized chaos right now
as we plan an out-of-state move that will allow us to fulfill a long-time dream of being near
family and having my husband home more often by easing his commute a bit. You always
hear me refer to that all-important support network and for us
this is a great homecoming after 17 years and countless miles
away from the nearest relatives. To get us through this happy
time I’m using all of my resources. This includes my good or-
ganizational skills and use of checklists, being realistic about
asking friends and other moms for help
with the kids while I pack, pack, pack,
and working closely with my spouse to
make sure we live up to our Team Dam-
ato credo. Between his flying and my
recent work schedule, we have not had
a day off together in weeks. Given that
the daily household still needs to run
smoothly for the boys’ sakes and that
time-critical moving tasks need to be
accomplished we have had to add over-
communication to our normal recipe for
success with an extra dash of affection
to let each other know that we appreci-
ate the extra hours we’re each putting in
to pull this thing off smoothly! It’s a del-
icate balance and with just three days
until the move I’m proud of what we
have accomplished together.
supermom #1: I just wanted to say thanks for writing an
article in Aviation for Women about work/life balance. I’m a
regional airline pilot and pregnant with twins. My husband
travels three to four days a week also. I want to return to work
within six months. I love to hear ideas of how other women
are able to balance it all.
supermom #2: I enjoyed your article so much...I got out of my late-night
bubble bath and I fired up my computer just to thank you. My husband and I
are both regional airline pilots...differ-ent companies...different bases...same
airplane...with a five-year-old boy. We
look back on our days and wonder how
we do it sometimes. Some months are
rough...but then comes the good (which
there are many more of). If it weren’t
for a competent, loving husband and
father and a well adjusted, outgoing
child I wouldn’t be in my job. My job as
mother/wife comes first and foremost
over any job I might have. If I didn’t
feel as though I was able to be a good
mother...I would quit in a heartbeat. We
don’t have family nearby...we live in the
country...but we make it work. We are
happy as we can be with our life. We
can afford to do the things we want (we
just save for them first...I want a new kitchen... the current
one is ugly)...we have great family time...as well as great one-on-one memories with our son. He is happy, outgoing, and
confident. We couldn’t be blessed with anyone better.
supermom #3: I just finished reading your article in
Aviation for Women. I was going to just toss this issue, as I have
an eight-month-old and time is pretty short right now. I’m really glad I didn’t. I am planning to return to work at the end
of this month after a year leave of absence. I’m a major airline
pilot and the decision to go back has been very difficult for
me, as my husband is also a pilot at another major airline. I
know I’m going to need a good support network, as I love be-
What works well
when you have an
infant might be
very different with
school-aged children.
I’m amazed at
the number of
different routines
we’ve had in our house
as our children
have matured.
