I run into women launching new businesses, and looking to advance in their careers all the time, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “I can’t imagine how do you do all this, with a baby (or small child)?”. In my mind, my answer is always, “I’m actually better at it, because I have a child.” I am more organized and focused than I’ve ever been.
There is a stereotype of some sort that makes career-oriented women incompatible with being a mother. Meanwhile, no one is questioning how men with children are able to remain committed to their work. We don’t always discuss or admit, that being a working mom is much different from being a man. It comes with its own set of challenges (and rewards). At no point, is it easy to try to being a boss mom. You know how the saying goes, to whom much is given, much more is required!
Being a mom has taught me to cut out the waste, because time is of the essence. Being organized and aware of the time I commit to projects, appointments, and activities is likely the most important factor in balancing it all. Being aware of my time, allows me to prioritize time with my daughter, as well as time in the business. As a business owner, I am able to schedule meetings that are convenient for myself and my client, and still commit to activities like tennis and dance. Often times, I rely on planning tools, to assist me with staying organized.
Furthermore, working a corporate job provides structure in knowing, for these 8/9 hours, I need to be in this location and doing these task. The time outside of working hours, is the time that must be managed, and still planning is key to making the most of it. Basically, you have to plan for tomorrow, today!
During my time in Corporate America, my team would have weekly huddles, and we’d discuss the possibility of things that could go wrong in our operation. One thing I can almost guarantee is, with motherhood, everything that can go wrong, WILL! Nasty diapers, sick babies in the middle of the night and/or day, and unplanned visits to the doctor, all occur at the most CONVENIENT (sarcasm) time. Therefore being a mom has taught be to be adaptable, and to plan for things that can and will go wrong.
Aside from how motherhood is shaping me out to be a better entrepreneur, working at home is directly influencing my daughter’s idea of what work requires. When she and I go on library dates, she’ll want to take breaks from reading, to “work” (which is essentially her pretending to type on one of the library computers). She takes play work calls and signals for me to be quiet while she’s working. There also times when she’ll ask if I have to do work tonight, and if my answer is yes, she’ll attempt to work with me (to avoid bedtime). So, she’ll someday transition from a Boss Baby to a Boss Babe, like her mom.
Loved this post! I can relate to this a ton. My career requires that we travel at minimum 45% and on average in most senior level roles, 65% and I knew that when I got into the CRO /Pharma industry. When I became pregnant, I had so many questions thrown at me about how I was going to be able to “parent” and have a career that required travel? Never mind the fact that I’m always around a ton of fathers in business that do this on a regular basis! Also a ton of people tried to discourage my efforts to steadily advance my role saying you know, the greater a position you get, the more they will require you to take on bigger projects(with presumably more travel requirements). When I actually had my son, I was worried about the effects it would have, but it had EVERYTHING to do with others unwarranted opinions and nothing to do with both THE FACTS of the predominately female populated industry I am in (they do this everyday) and actually knowing other business women out here that are “having it all” , with a career they are passionate about and a family they love while being able to embrace it all with “Work/Life balance”. A year after my son was born, I took a highly advancing leveled senior role at a mid-level CRO to be apart of a newly innovative project that is currently ground breaking in my industry. Our team is literally the first in the US to be experienced in this project and it will likely be the highlight of any future position I acquire in my career. I knew however, when I took it on that more travel would be required than my previous role and this project had high priority in both the New York and New Jersey areas. Now I would be lying if I said it would have been a major struggle to excel in this role if it wasn’t for my incredible supportive fiancé who was super excited for me to move forward with this opportunity and all it had to offer. He really stepped up to the plate to pick up the slack at home and quit a contract he was working on that required local travel for himself and took a local contract in its place in order to better support our family with this opportunity. Months later, in this role, that I am now senior lead over in both New Jersey, New York and Maryland, I can honestly say I’m blessed and am still able to make it home for all of my sons special events, I tuck him in most nights (will catch a late flight if I have to in order to do so) and I’m always present with family time. My role never consumes me from being that mother I envisioned myself to be and with the right dedication and support system it is so possible to obtain. I often time observe women now, during my hotel stays, suiting up for work in the lobby or doing a morning run around Manhattan with their baby bump and I just smile because “WE CAN”! For me, my son and his father are my daily motivation and though we run a tight ship and schedule, I enjoy every bit of the dedication of it all and have often times felt like I am living the life of a “Super Woman”!