Balancing Parenthood and a Career: Get the Best of Both Worlds

Most of us entered our careers believing that we could have it all and do it all if we work hard enough, but in reality, more and more of us are struggling to balance the demands of our careers and parenthood.  

 Often the pressures and constraints of this dual existence leave parents, and moms in particular, feeling like they’re failing on both ends – bringing the stress from work home, and feeling burned out at the office.   

Finding the right balance isn’t easy, but I can tell you – it doesn’t require you to work harder or past your breaking point. I’ve found that success in the office and at home requires better time management and a shift in perspective.  

These are a few strategies I’ve found helpful in managing both: 

Prioritize your responsibilities. 

 The demands at work and at home will ebb and flow, and there will be times when you have to prioritize one over the other. Be prepared for those moments and plan them out ahead of time when you can. 

 Identify those moments that are most important to you and your family, and those tasks and events at work that are vital for your success and the success of your team. Write these priorities down, talk to your family and your team about these priorities, and put them on your personal and professional calendar.  

The act of documenting your priorities and talking to people about them helps you commit to being 100% present for those events and tasks. Not only does it help hold you accountable, but looping others in your priorities lets them know you value them and that they can rely on you.  

 I have found that people are respectful of my time and my boundaries when they are part of the conversation.   

Ask for support.  

Once you identify and communicate those priorities, ask for help on those things that may not require your undivided attention. That may mean finding someone to take your kid from school to practice, or getting someone to cover an afternoon meeting so you can make it to the school assembly.   

Accepting support from family, friends, and colleagues is not a sign of weakness, but a hallmark characteristic of good leaders and great parents. You cannot be everyone and do everything.  Delegating and offloading those lower priority tasks and events keeps you from getting stretched too thin, and it may give someone else an opportunity to shine.  

Plus, you’ll find that most people are eager to help and are focusing on similar goals. 

Give yourself grace. 

The demands of parenting, paired with the pressure to excel in your professional life, can result in serious stress and anxiety. To handle these challenges, I focus on giving my best every day, rather than chasing perfection.  

There will be bumps in the road, some bigger than others. Treat failures for what they are – learning experiences, and know that there is always room for improvement.     

For me, this mindset shift means practicing patience when things don’t go as planned, forgiving myself when I can’t tackle everything, and prioritizing quality time with my family. This approach has helped me become more positive in the face of adversity and contributed to my growth as a mother and an attorney. 

Recognize that parenthood can lead to profound personal growth and professional development.

Ultimately, becoming a mom has provided me with a fresh perspective on my work life. With my family life at the forefront, my daughter has inspired me to enrich my career, acquire more skills, and approach work challenges in new and creative ways. 

Parenthood has even influenced how I collaborate with my colleagues and my clients. I’ve developed greater empathy for others and take the time to understand and meet my team’s needs to foster success for our firm.   

You can have a successful career, be an amazing parent, and find joy with having both. Like anything in life though, balancing these worlds takes planning, flexibility, and patience.