Career Goals & Crayon Stains: Thriving as a Working Mom
Breaking the Stigma: Embracing Both Motherhood and Career Success Without Guilt
When I was in high school, working on planning for college and beyond, I always thought about what that would look like. Having such a strong passion for writing, I knew what I wanted to do and was going to make it happen. Now I am in my early 30s, with both a career in content writing and design and a wife and mother of two amazing little boys. With this lifestyle, I’ve been asked, “Wouldn’t you rather raise your kids full-time?” And when I reply with, “No.” I get these looks of shock and surprise. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a stay-at-home mom. But that just isn’t the life I want for myself. The follow-up statement that usually comes after my response is, “Well. If money weren’t an issue, I am sure you would change your mind.” And to that, I say the same thing. “No. I wouldn’t.” I don’t need to work. I want to work. I love my career, and I love being a mom. Both can be true at the same time.
According to a study from the American Psychological Association, mothers with jobs tend to be healthier and happier than moms who stay at home during their children’s infancy and pre-school years. Becoming a mother changed so much for me. From how I feel about my body to my everyday schedule. It is easy to see how women can lose themselves in motherhood. I’m fortunate to work for an employer that truly supports work-life balance — a privilege I know not every mother shares. From the beginning, I set out to "do it all," and that goal meant being intentional about the kind of workplace I chose. Finding the right fit made all the difference. Every woman needs to figure out what will make them the best version of themselves. Our kids deserve that. For some, it’s staying at home. For others, it’s having a life outside of motherhood. Being successful in one area doesn’t mean you can’t equally be successful in another.
Being a mom of two boys, it’s important that I raise them to be good, honest men. That means influencing their views on women. With as much as the world has progressed regarding how women are seen, the old-school mindset of what a woman is expected to do is still very much a thing. For my boys, I don’t want them to have that mindset. If their wife wants to be a stay-at-home mom, that is great. I hope they make that happen. But if she wants to work, I want them to understand there is nothing wrong with that. I want my kids to see their partner as an equal. As a teammate.
There is a saying that says, “Always fill your own cup first and allow the world to benefit from the overflow.” For me, to be the best version of myself for my husband and kids, I need to take care of me first. That means making sure I am meeting my needs and wants. My job isn’t just a job to me. It allows me to pursue a passion. It grounds me.
All of this to say, I don’t feel guilty for being both career-driven and a mom. I am reaching professional goals, and my kids are happy, healthy, and loved. That’s good enough for me.
