By Mark Ambrogi
Suzanne Joyce wanted to address the challenge of balancing work and motherhood.
(Submitted photo)
So the Carmel resident wrote a children’s book called “Working Mama.” The book launch party will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at The Urban Chalkboard, 452 E. Carmel Dr., Carmel
“This is my first book, but this will be the first in the series of children’s books,” Joyce said. “The first one is talking about being a working mother, but eventually I want it to be “Working Mama” presents my mama is a doctor or my mama is a lawyer, so it follows certain career paths. That’s kind of my vision. We’ll see.”
Joyce is working on books about mothers being a lawyer and entrepreneur to likely be released in 2017. The Illustrator for the first book is Rebecca Beris, from Australia.
The book, designed for children 10 and under, are written from the child’s point of view. Joyce has a 2-year-old son, Lucas, and two stepdaughters, Addison, 11, and Olivia, 8.
“It gives working parents a chance to explain why we go to work, why we work hard and the benefits that brings to our family,” Joyce said “We have the conversation of how that contributes to the life that you live and all of that kind of stuff.”
Joyce is in chemical distribution sales.
Joyce, 35, grew up on the north side of Indianapolis and graduated from Cathedral High School.
“The process of writing the book to having it in hand took about a year,” Joyce said.
Joyce said she was raised by a stay-at-home mother.
“But when my father, an entrepreneur, remarried, he married an entrepreneur,” Joyce said. “So I was lucky I had both role models in my life growing up. I knew I wanted a family but also wanted a career. I worked hard in college (Arizona State) to lay that foundation to go into the working world.”
When Lucas was born she wanted to be able to explain why she goes to work and he goes to school.
The book, which was published in late July, is available on Amazon, Archway Publishing and Barnes and Noble websites.
