Have you ever considered the paradox that “competition” presents to women? We get the message that it’s good and necessary to compete. And we also get the message that for women, it’s rather unseemly. A new book takes a refreshingly honest and insightful look at this paradox, cutting to the heart of the aspect of competition that has the biggest impact on women: competition between women.

The book is “CATFIGHT: Women and Competition” by Leora Tanenbaum

Sounds catty? It’s very point is that we shouldn’t be. Chances are though, at some point you’ve felt beleaguered by that friend who is always trying to outdo you in what she wears, what she made for the school bake sale, how much money she has, how much weight she’s lost… Or maybe you’ve caught yourself doing the same with others.

The premise of “Catfight” is that women today have so many mixed messages about how we are supposed to live our lives (i.e. rocket up the corporate ladder, channel June Cleaver… sound familiar?), we wind up feeling defensive. And to defend ourselves, we wind up looking at what other women are doing with their lives and comparing ourselves to them, creating tacit contests over who is the “better” woman. The point Tanenbaum makes is that, in this sort of covert competition, no one wins.

Looking across the areas of romance, the workplace, motherhood, beauty, Tanenbaum finds that the more complicated a woman’s life becomes, the more likely she is to compare her life with the lives of other women. (hmm).

There IS a hopeful moral to the story: in being more aware, women can more consciously seek to be each other’s allies as opposed to adversaries– and through more direct competition (the guy kind, think- sports) women can compete with each other in a healthier way that allows us to still spur ourselves on to do and be our best.

Learn More About or Order “Catfight” on amazon.com

(Of course, being a part of Executive Moms is a perfect example of being “allied,” rather than “adversarial,” with other women)!

To that point, we still have a little space left, so RSVP TODAY to JOIN US ON TUESDAY. Whether you are in the throes of childcare issues or have long since graduated, come share your experiences and enjoy this special opportunity to connect with other fabulous women. (Including the author of “Catfight,” by the way).

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT NOW TO EMAIL US WITH YOUR CHILDCARE QUESTIONS FOR THE PANEL.

Thank you! We look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday. In the meantime, forward this to your friends, and don’t forget to visit us at www.executivemoms.com.

Sincerely,

Executive Moms