BCM - How did your life change when you became a mom?

Aidan - My life changed in countless ways when I became a mom. A profound change – and one that I never anticipated – was the creative/professional urge parenthood sparked in me. Now that I have two little creatures to care for, I feel compelled to set a strong personal and professional example for them. I think many people assume that having a family interferes with career ambitions, but in my experience, the opposite has been the case.

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment (s) as a mom?

Aidan -There are so many memorable moments. I can’t pick just one! What has amazed me is that some of the most potent moments have been seemingly mundane at the time: A pajama dance party after bath, bagging oranges at the grocery store, doing a puzzle on the living room floor. Sometimes, often, it is the little, quiet moments that stick with us.

BCM - What has been the biggest challenge for you in motherhood?

Aidan -In my estimation, being a parent is the hardest job in the world and motherhood is riddled with challenges. Something I constantly struggle with is balance. How do I pursue professional passion without slighting my girls? How do I immerse myself completely in raising my girls without neglecting my career dreams? How do I continue to be a present wife to my husband while tending to my girls and keeping up with my blog/book writing? I am realizing, slowly but surely, that balance is indeed an enigma and that try as we might, none of us will ever be or feel 100% balanced.

BCM - Tell us about your new book, Life after Yes?

Aidan -My new book Life After Yes is a modern tale of life, love, and loss in chaos. It follows Quinn, a young and confused attorney, as she comes to terms with the loss of her father in the 9/11 attacks and as she weathers doubts about her impending wedding. I am thrilled that the book has received a good amount of positive buzz and I hope all of you pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order it online!

BCM - How do you find the time to write, be a mom, and a wife?   How do you get it all done?

Aidan -Ah, time. If only there were more hours in the day. I write when I can – often in the early morning before my family is up or late at night when my kids are asleep. We also have a wonderful nanny who helps out during the week so I can work on my manuscripts and write blog posts. This time issue is a constant and menacing struggle though. Invariably, I feel like I am not spending enough time working, or with my kids, or with my husband. In short: I do not get it all done! (And no one does.)

BCM - Any advice for moms who want to become a published writer?

Aidan -I encourage moms who want to publish to begin by writing. In journals, on a public blog, anywhere. Starting my blog Ivy League Insecurities was one of the best things I could have done for my writing career. Blogging every day has allowed me to find my literary voice and connect with other mothers and writers across the nation and world. I also highly recommend taking writing classes. I took several online at Gotham Writer’s Workshop. The classes were wonderful and taking them online made it much easier to participate since I was also home taking care of my girls. 

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do w/ your kids?

Aidan -I am a big believer in unstructured time. Of course I love taking my girls to classes and museum and activities, but my favorite time by far is that spent on the hardwood floors of our home playing games and making art projects and laughing. On the weekends, we go out for a scone breakfast and head to the park. I love this tradition.

BCM- What has been your favorite Big City Moms event to date?

Aidan - My favorite Big City Moms events were the new moms lunches that I attended when my oldest was just born. Not only were these lunches fun and informative, but they proved to be a wonderful way to meet fellow NYC moms. To this day, my very best Mommy Friends are those I met at those BCM lunches. I always tell my friends to sign up for these lunches when they are done with their postnatal hibernation and are ready to leave the house with their newborns! I do not want to give too much away, but my next novel is about a young Manhattan mother who encounters good friends and business partners during one such lunch. :)