Sweet Spot For Balancing Baby and Career By, Eryn Travis

Researchers from a career website and a website for moms-to-be have tried to answer the age-old, gut-wrenching question of when is the best time for a woman to balance career and baby. Here's a warning. You might not like what they found. New survey results from The Bump.com and ForbesWoman indicate that the best age range to balance a career with baby is 25 to 29. Moms who had babies at this age reported the strongest level of satisfaction. The online survey was completed by 2,210 women: 76% were moms or moms-to-be and 24% did not have children, according to ForbesWoman. Most were married or in a committed relationship and had four-year college degrees. Almost half were already working mothers. Most wanted two children.

The survey also found that:

• Financial security, not fertility, is the top reason when choosing an "idea" age to have a baby

• Younger moms are more content with the timing of their first child

• 62 percent of women feel motherhood negatively impacts a woman's career (although the survey notes that working moms who were surveyed didn't feel as strongly when it came to their own career)

• Negative feelings dominate when returning to work post baby although moms who choose to return to work were less likely to feel as negative. Many reported feeling guilty, sad, overwhelmed and anxious.

• 59 percent of moms who returned to work no longer cared as much about work post-baby

• More than a third (35%) of moms who had their first child at 30 to 34 wish they had their child at a younger age, and 57% of moms who had their first child at 35 to 39 wish they had their child at a younger age.

So what do we as moms take from this survey?

First, surveys reveal insights into situations,not universal facts. I'm not about to address the age issue here. (In case you're wondering, I was 30 when I had Andrew, and I feel just fine about it.)

However, I am struck by the negative findings about moms and careers. It's a reminder that all moms -- regardless of where they conduct their work -- need support.

There are many organizations in the West Chester area that can help a mom balance her career with family while keeping her identity. Here's a list.

Beyond the Bus Stop: A national organization designed to empower moms live their dreams. The Chester County meeting is Thursday, March 7th.