Book Review: Work PAUSE Thrive

A review for the book Work PAUSE Thrive: How to Pause for Parenthood Without Killing our Career by Lisen Stromberg. A great read for any working Mom!

Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor. I thought I would go to Harvard and become a pediatrician. Somewhere along the way in high school, I decided on journalism. It’s crazy, but I think I always knew deep down that I would never have a traditional type of job. Working long hours in an office never appealed to me.

Once I had the twins, I realized I wanted a way to stay home AND provide for my family. Blogging seemed to be the best answer since I had so many questions about motherhood and saving money. I was 25 when the twins were born and most of my friends weren’t even considering having kids yet. Not that we didn’t have much in common anymore, but I felt I couldn’t connect with them on a career level. Seven years later, this crazy career choice I’ve picked is still alive and kicking. Will I blog forever? No…but I have other plans in mind.

When I heard about the book Work PAUSE Thrive: How to Pause for Parenthood Without Killing Your Career by Lisen Stromberg, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. Although I’ve never had a traditional career to give up for my kids, I know how hard the work life balance can be.

The book is broken into three sections. I found it a great bedtime read to unwind after a crazy day. It was comforting to hear ways other women (and men!) have made a non-traditional career work with balance. Stromberg created a Women on the Rise survey to gain more insight and create content for this book.

First up, Stromberg provides us insight into what some have done to create “lives well lived rather than lived in lives”. I love the term used: non-linear careers. Just because you pause work temporarily for your family doesn’t mean it’s career suicide! Many women come back running with a brand new career and they’re ruling the world. Being pregnant now with my 4th baby, I couldn’t relate more. I know I won’t have time to blog like I have been, but I can create a new normal soon.

The second section, there’s a deep dive into why there it is so challenging to balance a career and kids. No matter what, there’s going to be an area that needs more attention, thus making the other one lacking. This section explores how men also want a place in the home… and even how other countries handle daycare. I feel like in America we are all rushed to get back to “normal” once the baby arrives, but that is impossible. NOTHING is ever the same.

Finally, in Part 3, there are strategic plans for everyone. What can we do as a country to change? I love that she emphasizes that she’s not trying to tell women to abandon any career ambitions or their dreams–but to pivot and realize their full potential no matter what. There are also some great points about what we need to change as a country to make pausing possible for more people to an achievable goal.

I will admit, this book took me quite a while to read. It’s not a book you can read in a day. I wanted to fully absorb the information given and I loved that this problem in our country is addressed head on. I have pages earmarked and quotes highlighted–it was truly an educational read!