I’ve heard versions of this question directly and indirectly.  I’m not insulted when someone asks me directly how I will manage a seat on the City Council, my part-time job as a freelance writer/editor, and my role as the involved mom of a three-year-old.  I’m not insulted when I’m asked directly because it’s reasonable for Roswell residents to expect good and effective representation, and to expect me to have a plan for delivering that representation.

I am insulted, however, by indirect references to my career, the campaign, and motherhood.  I am insulted, and so should every working parent be, by the implication that I can’t – or worse, shouldn’t – serve on City Council because I am a mom and because I have a career.

How am I going to do it?  Ask any working parent how we do it.  In the most recent Census, in 64% of Roswell households with children under the age of six, all parents are in the workforce.  The number jumps to 72% in households with children aged 6 – 17 years.  Ask any of us how we do it, whether we’re the mother or the father, and I expect you’ll hear a variation on this premise: planning, time management, and support.

Planning starts with setting priorities.  After the priorities come goals, and after the goals come the deadlines, action steps, and measures.  It’s how I managed corporate wellness programs for systems of thousands of employees; it’s how I approach my life, whether I’m training for a marathon or learning a new skill; and it’s how I’ll approach my job as an elected official for the city of Roswell.  Priorities, goals, deadlines, action steps, measures – and contingency plans.  Always contingency plans!

Time management is … time management.  It’s challenging, but when priorities and goals are strong, allocating time becomes easier.  Finally, support is crucial – from family, co-workers, neighbors, friends, and other networks.  How does anyone accomplish anything, big or small, without help and support?

City Council is intended to be a part-time job with a part-time salary, although I know that anyone who serves, or who has served, in the role would laugh at the notion of it being part-time.  The point, though, is that the Council is stronger when representatives have lives outside City Hall, when we run in different  circles, and when we bring different experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives to the table.  When we understand and can relate to the people we’re representing.

And that’s the answer to, “how will she do it?”