Industry - Retail

A Little Bit About Our Family

Our household is busy, loud and fun with 3 kids, especially with the varying ages and interests.  Over the years my husband has always supported me in my career and when our first child arrived 11 years ago we decided that he would stay home.  While never an easy decision to make both financially and socially – it was the best decision for our family.  During this past year, my husband did a great job balancing the shifting school schedules/remote learning and keeping a preschooler entertained, all the while I worked upstairs and tried to maintain a normal work schedule.  

A Lot Can Change Over Time

I have been working full time from home during the past year, spending the majority of my day on zoom calls.  Previously, I commuted about an hour each way and worked from home on Fridays.  Looking ahead, I anticipate a mix of working both in the office and at home.  Professionally, my responsibilities changed by not traveling for work or speaking at conferences.  I also transitioned a portion of my team to a new team, which was quite difficult to do remotely.   

Personally, my responsibilities have changed by being home all the time.  I find myself being much more engaged with the kids day to day, something I missed out on by leaving home before they woke up and getting home just in time to eat, hang out and do bedtime routines.  

Balancing Career and Motherhood

My husband has certainly been my greatest support, by really managing both the kids and the household.  Personally, it has been difficult to miss out on things at home and school, such as summer days at the pool, field trips, and parent groups.  Also, I had to learn that the way my husband does things may not be the way I would do it, and that is OK. 

Professionally, I have been honest with my leaders that being a mom is important to me.  I have likely limited my career growth by wanting roles that allow me to work regular hours.  I am willing to go above and beyond, but working evenings and weekends are rare.  I have gotten much better at taking time off.  It certainly helps to have more vacation time as you grow in your career, but I have also prioritized when I want to be off.  This helps me to not miss out on things with my family and prioritize my workload to plan for time off.  My family and I can enjoy being together, whether it is for a day at home or a trip.  Taking time off, away from work, has also helped me take care of myself...it took a long time but I am OK taking a day off just for me. 

Final Thoughts

As I reflect on the past year, I wish I had a community of women surrounding & supporting me.  Having a community of working mothers, especially those who are the main source of income for their household, is a reminder that, 'I'm not the only one going through this, or feeling a certain way.' That is not always easy to find.