The difference of two decades

Twenty years ago I would have said I was selling out Ten years ago, I would have been labeled as a "mommy-tracker." Today, more and more women are stepping back from high-level, high-pressure jobs, in many cases to take better care of their families. Thank God it's the '90s!

If there's a cute, media-inspired name for this movement, I haven't heard it (and you needn't e-mail suggestions). But ever since PepsiCo North America's CEO, Brenda Barnes, left her power-track career last year to spend more time with her three kids, the attitudinal tide among women, pediatricians and the media, at least, seems to have turned. Mine sure has.

I don't flatter myself that you read this column religiously, so I'll remind you that last fall, I had my third child. We're lucky that she's the best little baby ever bom, but she's still a baby, nonetheless. The other two kids, ages 8 and 5, think she makes a Fun pet, but they still expect food on the table, clean clothes and my undivided attention when they think they have something earth-shattering to impart. Oh, and I have a husband, too. I think.

Then there's FOLIO:. I've been here more than six years, arriving during the nadir of the last recession in publishing; I leave the magazine at the height of an industry-wide gold rush (see "Fat city: The FOLIO:500," page 61). No, I'm not taking credit for that--but it's been quite a ride! FOLIO: has never been stronger and the franchise continues to grow with the addition this month of FOLIO:'s Ancillary Profits," a 10-times frequency newsletter covering the trends and growth in magazine branding.

I know FOLIO: and its hard-working, dedicated staff are in good hands with my successor, Tony Silber, who returns to Cowles Business Media from Mecklermedia's Internet World. (Many of you already know him from his years as FOLIO:'S managing and executive editor.) I look forward to the changes he, no doubt, will make to the book. And I thank all of you for your advice, encouragement and friendship.

Being an editor isn't easy, but it's not nearly as scary or as demanding as being a parent. I'm staying with Cowles, moving over to American Demographics as managing editor, a job I love and a magazine I'm very excited about. Good luck to all of you--and don't forget to brush your teeth before you leave the house. Did you put on sunscreen? Where's your lunch? Did you feed the cat? That goes in the laundry hamper, doesn't it? What happened to your glasses? Who left this towel on the bathroom floor!?! The only thing that works around this house is me!...

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