The Diary of a working mother.

As a working mom of two, I’ve learned that the journey of balancing professional aspirations and family life is far from straightforward. My story is one of transformation, challenges, and ultimately, self-discovery.

The High-Performer’s Dilemma

Like many ambitious professionals, my career was everything. Coming from an immigrant family, I understood the value of hard work. I was a top performer at a major bank, someone who took immense pride in professional achievements. When I became pregnant during COVID-19, I was determined to prove that motherhood wouldn’t slow me down.

The Invisible Toll

At first, I maintained my stellar performance, even feeling guilty and overcompensating. My output remained the same, if not better. But beneath the surface, I was exhausted—emotionally, physically, and mentally. I was trying to be the perfect employee and the perfect mother, and the pressure was mounting.

Breaking Point

My second pregnancy became my wake-up call. Working from home while dealing with a high-risk pregnancy, experiencing rising blood pressure and monthly panic attacks, I realized something had to change. I wasn’t just working anymore; I was surviving.

A Pivotal Realization

I started to understand the unspoken “price” women pay when trying to do it all. There’s a real trade-off between career growth and being present for your children. And for me, being close to my daughters during their early years became paramount.

Making a Bold Choice

Instead of continuing to pour my energy into someone else’s business, I decided to channel my ambition into something of my own. Why continue killing myself for a job when I could invest that same passion into my own venture?

Key Lessons for Working Parents

Your Feelings are Valid: It’s okay to change your mind about work and motherhood. What worked before children might not work after.

Prioritize Self-Care: Recognize the signs of burnout before you reach a breaking point.

Make Collaborative Decisions: Discuss career and childcare choices with your partner, ensuring the decision feels right for your entire family.

Your Career is Not Linear: Taking a break or changing direction doesn’t diminish your professional worth.

A Message of Empowerment

To every working parent out there: Trust your instincts. Whether you choose to continue your career, start a business, or take a step back, the most important thing is that the decision is genuinely yours.

Your children are young only once. You can always return to your career or start a new venture, but you can’t reclaim those precious early years.

Stay strong, stay true to yourself, and remember—there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to motherhood and career.

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!