I used to be a stay-at-home Mom. I had two babies in diapers and a two-story home in Whitefish Bay. When not tending to the babies, I did laundry, grocery shopped, organized and cleaned the house. Typical responsibilities of a stay-at-home mom.

Then I went back to work and tried to be Super Mom/Career Girl. It wasn't fun. When I was at work, I felt I should be at home. When I was home, I felt guilty that I wasn't at the office. Typical guilt that working moms struggle with every day.

There was a moment of revelation for me about 2 years into the Working Mom gig -- I stopped caring what my house looked like. Don't get me wrong. It's not like the house doesn't get cleaned. It's just there's stuff everywhere. I focus on the kids when I'm home and not much else. The kids are turning out well. I have a job that I like. Despite this,I always felt badly that I had given up on my house.

That is until last week, when I heard Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson speak to a group of women executives and business owners at a TEMPO lunch. She shared with us how she balanced a family and her role as the only female on the Court in the 1970s. She had a young son at the time. She explained the shortcuts that she used to take as a working Mom, including serving store-bought cookies on a platter and ignoring the imperfections of her house. Her son turned out well. And I'm fairly sure she has found satisfaction on the job.

When my kids are off to college, I will buy white furniture and white area rugs. But for now, we will live, grow and prosper in the controlled chaos.

Just don't drop by unannounced!