Corporate Mom Truths

Becoming a mother is a life-altering experience, and for many women, juggling the demands of parenthood with a corporate career is no easy task. Working moms face so many challenges, but also many rewards.

Today, we’re talking about both along with my personal thoughts on the subject and even the pros and cons of being a mom in the corporate world.

So, if you’ve been wondering what goes on in my brain after watching my commuting vlogs, today is the day you get the tea! 

The Juggling Act of Work-Life Balance

One of the biggest challenges I’ve found as a working mom is maintaining a balance between work and family life. The corporate world can demand long hours, tight deadlines, and frequent travel ( I commute a total of 4 hours in a day ) making it super difficult to be as present as I’d like. By the time I make it home at 7 pm, I have just enough time to eat dinner with my family and say goodnight, to then get ready and do it all again the next day.  

There is a positive though, and that is knowing that I set an empowering example for my daughters. That in itself gives me a huge sense of pride.

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that I know there are plenty of other ways I can (and will) accomplish this. But for now, this is where we’re at!

Professional Fulfillment and Personal Sacrifices

Many working moms desire an identity and purpose beyond motherhood, I’m one of them. For some, climbing the corporate ladder is how they fill their cup. For others, passion driven businesses is what fills theirs. Whichever way you slice it, I think the key to a happy balance is finding a career that fulfills other areas of your life. For me, it’s a job that allows me to be creative and strategic. 

While climbing the corporate ladder offers opportunities for professional growth and accomplishment, it comes at a sacrifice. What kind of sacrifice? Personal time and moments you’ll never get back is #1 for me.

Many working moms, including myself, have to ask themselves, “Is the sacrifice really worth it?”

If it's not, it's time to pivot in your career or start something new. 

Flexibility and Remote Work: A Double-Edged Sword

Enter 2019, the era of remote work due to a global pandemic. 

I used to feel like working from home would only be possible if you made it possible. A.K.A started your own business and ran it from the comfort of your home. 

But now, employers in the corporate world are giving hybrid and remote options. It provides working moms with a chance to better balance professional and family responsibilities, which is amazing.

While my current job is Hybrid, it started off remote and I can attest that working from home truly enhanced my productivity (if you’re a fellow introvert I know you feel me.) 

Now hang on, this doesn’t mean that I had my kids with me all the time, but it does mean that work provided a flexible work/life balance. I was available when my kids got home from school, made dinner on my lunch hour and threw in a load of laundry, saved money on food and travel, and so much more. I mean....GAME CHANGER!

On the other hand, many feel that it blurs the lines between work and home life, making it challenging to disconnect from professional duties during personal time. 

While I can’t relate to that one, I can report that the biggest con of remote work, for me is the lack of human connection. Now and then it’d be nice to have in-person conversation with colleagues who are over the age of 8. It’s also refreshing to get dressed in work clothes every once in a while so I remember what I look like outside of lounge clothes. 

The End

Being a working mom in the corporate world is undoubtedly a hard journey. There are so many factors that come into play when juggling work and mom life. From workplace policies to personal support systems, and even individual resilience.

Whether you're a mom contemplating a return to the corporate world, or a current corporate mom hustling her way through life, know that you are seen and doing the best for your family. 

So, girl ... what are your thoughts and experiences? Feel free to share in the comments below. Your input could be the support or inspiration someone else needs on their journey as a working mom!