Mommy Wars

Palo Alto Software CEO Sabrina Parsons is quoted today in a
story in USA today on Working Moms:

Those who do work say they often must confront
attitudes from co-workers who may question their decision to leave
children in child care or with a nanny. That’s what happened to Sabrina
Parsons, CEO of Palo Alto Software in Eugene, Ore. Parsons says she was
recently participating in a business meeting and during casual
conversation, one of the men said, "Thank goodness my kids are not
being raised by a nanny."

Presumably, this was a man who had a wife who
had chosen to stay at home with his children. Meanwhile, Parsons’
children were at home with their nanny. She says she just smiled, said
nothing, and felt happy that she was ending a very productive meeting
and was on her way home to be with her two boys, Timmy, 3, and Leo, 1.
Parsons works full time.

"I thought he’d be embarrassed, but he just
didn’t get it," Parsons says. "I thought, ‘Should I say something?’ Not
all of us have a choice. There are times there is pressure to feel
guilty. I feel like work makes me a better mom. I want to work."

And at Palo Alto Software we’re glad she does.

–Tim