Tea Time with Angie: What I Wish I Knew as a Working Mom

Welcome to the first installment of “Tea Time with Angie,” where I share insights from my journey as a work-from-home mom in finance who doubles as a business strategist. Grab your favorite beverage (I’ve got coffee today!) and let’s chat about the realities of balancing career and parenthood.

The Juggling Act: Working Full-Time While Parenting

Working full-time while being a parent is an incredible responsibility. My job in finance is mentally demanding, and trying to be a good parent simultaneously can feel overwhelming. While maternity and paternity leave give you time to recover physically, the mental adjustment takes much longer.

The transition from having “me time” to having “no me” is particularly challenging with your first child. Every month brings something new that requires adjustment. In a dual-income household, the challenges multiply—when you finish work, you still face morning and evening routines: feeding, bathing, and changing everyone.

I remember many nights when I’d finally get everyone to bed, sit down on the couch for a brief moment of peace, and immediately fall asleep from exhaustion. I’d wake up at 2 or 3 AM, disoriented, still on the couch, wondering what happened.

Be Kind to Yourself

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned—and it took me time to understand this—is the importance of being kind to yourself. Parenting is an evolving job, and you’re constantly growing into it.

I grew up in an immigrant household with working parents who taught me the importance of hard work. As what my daughter would call a “naughty child,” I got yelled at frequently. When I found myself yelling at my own child, I was devastated. I would cry at night, finally understanding why my mother would sometimes cry after disciplining me—it was the guilt.

Remember that while your child is learning to do things independently, you’re also learning to be a parent. Be patient with yourself. Children are incredibly adaptable and intelligent; they often teach us more about living than we teach them.

Don’t beat yourself up for not getting that promotion or closing that deal. Don’t dwell on moments when you raised your voice, thinking you could have been a better parent. These regretful moments can affect your mental health, especially as a mother who already has a unique bond with her baby from carrying them for nine months. Growth takes time. Nothing is learned overnight, let alone parenting. So be kind to yourself. Mistakes make us grow, as parents, as individuals, and as professionals. So take it one day at a time.

Give Your Body and Mind Time to Adjust

I learned this lesson the hard way with my first child. With my second baby, I was much kinder to my body and mind, allowing myself time to adjust.

I got pregnant with my second child when my first daughter was two years old. My body hadn’t fully recovered from the first pregnancy because I hadn’t given myself enough time and grace to respect the healing process. Giving birth is a tremendously significant physical and emotional event, placing incredible pressure on your body.

With my second child, I was more compassionate with myself and found that I actually recovered faster. My second pregnancy was particularly difficult, which forced me to check in with myself physically. Each pregnancy requires you to respect your body and mind, allowing them to heal at their own pace—just as children learn at their own pace.

Ask for Help

I’m terrible at asking for help—even from my husband, whom I’ve been with for 12 years. But it’s not shameful to need assistance. Ask your parents, siblings, or partner for help when you need it.

I still feel guilty asking my parents for help, which they think is crazy. To convince myself it’s okay, I think, “If my daughters needed help, would I help them?” Of course I would—they’re my kids. So I put myself in my parents’ shoes and realize they want to help me too.

Sometimes you just need sleep, a date night, time to breathe, or simply a moment to yourself. This past weekend, after my kids had been sick for a week, I was exhausted from taking care of them while being sick myself. I asked my husband to stay with the girls so I could go outside and cut some trees—literally just to have time to myself.

The reward of asking for help is much greater than you might think.

Final Thoughts

Balancing work and parenthood is challenging, but being kind to yourself, giving yourself time to adjust, and asking for help when needed can make all the difference. Remember that you’re growing alongside your child, and that’s a beautiful journey despite its difficulties.

I hope you enjoyed this first “Tea Time with Angie.” Please share your questions or comments—I’d love to hear from you. I’ll continue sharing things I wish I had known earlier in my parenting journey. Until next time!

As a business strategist, I’m always looking to work with different types of businesses to help them reach to the next level. If you’re interested in creating a solid plan to scale or are thinking of transitioning from corporate to your own business, or simply looking for a strategic consultation, feel free to get in touch with us via below!