If you’ve had a kid in first grade, it’s likely you’re familiar with the book Flat Stanley. Long a rite of elementary school passage, the reading of Flat Stanley followed by the shipment of Stanleys and Shirleys, all flat, across the miles to be photographed in various locations, then shipped back to their creators, with stories to tell about their travels.

Imagine my joy on seeing this photo of Clint Eastwood, accompanied by who could only be Flat Stanley himself on the famous red carpet outside the Academy Awards!

A co-working mother, a few jobs ago, and I used to bestow upon one another the “Mother of the Year” award with alarming frequency. Of course, the honor was tongue-in-cheek and saved for those moments when we went fleeing out the office door, having forgotten to pick up Junior from Scouts, or for buying and wrapping the birthday gift in the car on the way to the child’s best friend’s party, or for missing the boat on the exclusive camp, and selling the YMCA day camp as a stellar alternative.

My overachieving tendencies do not always spill over into motherhood, and yet I can completely identify with The Madness of the Modern Mommy.

Enjoy, and remember: it’s okay to be YOU and still be a mom.