Erin Monnin
Are you frustrated by the stress of work and parenting? Is your job search for the right career leaving you discouraged? Achieving work-life balance can be tough for moms, but here’s some good news: it is possible. In fact, it is something you are both capable and worthy of experiencing.
Achieving work-life balance can be tough for moms, but here’s some good news: it is possible.
I spoke to six working moms. I asked each of them about their job, median salary, work hours, and schedule flexibility. They offered six career ideas that allow you to balance your roles at home and at work. I learned so much from these incredible women, and my hope is that you will, too!
Breana – Writer, Social Media Manager and Assistant Professor
General Salary: <$20,000
Average hours worked per week: 8
Flexible schedule? Yes
Do you work from home, away from home, or both? From home
I chose to continue pursuing my career as a mom because my husband was in medical school, we needed my income at the time, and now I enjoy having work to do.
What I love most about my job is the research I get to do and the ability to work at any time.
The hardest part about balancing my job and motherhood is I don’t like staring at a screen in front of my son. I don’t want to think I’m ignoring him for my phone.
I prioritize quality time with my kids by planning my day to get work done at times of the day when he is sleeping or inclined to play alone.
My advice for moms who want to pursue a career in my field is if you’re staying home with kids and want to keep your resume fresh, the best way to do this is to let people know you’re available to take on work. It’s difficult for companies to find people to work these jobs who are consistent, capable, and dependable. Once you prove that you fit these qualities, you’ll be able to find employers and clients who need someone they can trust.5
Anja – Director of Community Relations
General Salary: $35,000-$49,999
Average hours worked per week: 40
Flexible schedule? Yes
Do you work from home, away from home, or both? Both. I work a few days in the office and a few from home.
What I love most about my job is in my current role, I have the opportunity to connect people to a cause that matters. My passion for my work makes the time away from my son validated in my heart and mind. The flexibility I have working at an organization that values and understands family makes it easy for me to take off time when I need to.
The hardest part about balancing my job and motherhood is having enough emotional and decision-making energy at the end of the day for my child can be a challenge. I want to have the patience with him that he deserves. He can't help that his mommy needs to work any more than I can!
I prioritize quality time with my kids by cutting myself off from work at the end of the day. One way I do this is by removing push notifications from my phone, so I don't see emails and chats pouring in at night.
My advice for moms who want to pursue a career in my field is have a hunger for business knowledge, because that knowledge is a huge asset in the nonprofit space.1
Jessica – Analyst
General Salary: $35,000-$49,999
Average hours worked per week: 40
Flexible schedule? Yes
Do you work from home, away from home, or both? Mostly from home. I only go in for meetings or when I need to use the office.
I chose to continue pursuing my career as a mom mostly out of necessity. My husband went back to school and I became our primary source of income. I do enjoy working more than I did being a stay at home mom, though, so I am happy with our setup.
What I love most about my job is I love my company's mission and culture. I feel fulfilled knowing that the work we do is making a positive impact on society. My company also has a healthy culture where everyone is respected and respectful. I've never been made to feel like I should be putting work before my family.
The hardest part about balancing my job and motherhood is I often feel like I'm not excelling in my job or motherhood, like I'm trying to do both and so I'm not giving my best effort to either one. In my head I know that isn't true, but I have to battle those negative thoughts a lot.
It is important to find an employer who values you and cares about your entire well-being.
I prioritize quality time with my kids by not multitasking. I try to make a distinction between family time and work time. I make it clear to my kids when I'm working and not able to do something, usually going into my room to avoid distractions. I try to set a hard stop time … once I stop, I spend quality time with my kids.
My advice for moms who want to pursue a career in my field is find a nonprofit that shares your values. Regardless of the field, I also think it is important to find an employer who values you and cares about your entire well-being. Don't work for someone who wants you to prioritize your job over everything else in your life because that's not sustainable.2
Katie – Legal Counsel
General Salary: $75,000 to $99,999
Average hours worked per week: 40
Flexible schedule? Yes
Do you work from home, away from home, or both? Both
I chose to continue pursuing my career as a mom because I love investing in other people, building new programs, and challenging myself mentally. Also, the money is needed to help pay the bills!
What I love most about my job is being able to help people pursue and accomplish their dreams. I love creating new programs and ways to give people an advantage in their own careers.
The hardest part about balancing my job and motherhood is adjusting my time schedule to try to do it all and adjusting my attitude to not feel guilty when I'm focusing on one or the other.
I prioritize quality time with my kids by not scheduling meetings during our morning time, right after naps, and during dinner-bedtime. I make sure that during those times I am present and interacting with [my daughter]. I put work aside and focus on her and whatever activity I have planned for us.
My advice for moms who want to pursue a career in my field is work hard and with excellence to earn respect and confidence. Find the time to get things done and close out your week before you shut down for the weekend. Give yourself permission to outsource things. For so long I tried to do it all, and it was HARD.6
Emily – Mathematics Education Consultant
General Salary: <$20,000
Average hours worked per week: 15
Flexible schedule? Yes
Do you work from home, away from home, or both? From home
I chose to continue pursuing my career as a mom because I know I have something to offer to the community I work for. It also keeps me fresh if I ever go back to work full-time when my kids are school age.
What I love most about my job is I like the flexibility and that I get to use the skills I learned while in school to better the lives of others. I've always enjoyed math and problem solving, so doing my work is also enjoyable.
The hardest part about balancing my job and motherhood is trying to find time to care for myself so that I don't get burned out and fail at both responsibilities!
I prioritize quality time with my kids by focusing on my daughter while she is awake and make her a priority during that time.
My advice for moms who want to pursue a career in my field is build relationships with people during your development in school and when you first get started. If you are a hard worker, respectful, positive, and show others that your work is valuable, people will be more likely to help you out, recommend you for promotions, or be forgiving if a motherhood dilemma arises.4
I am proud of the skills I provide to the company and am happy to be able to take care of my family.
Katie – Bookkeeper
General Salary: $20,000 to $34,999
Average hours worked per week: 32
Flexible schedule? Yes
Do you work from home, away from home, or both? Both
I chose to continue pursuing my career as a mom because of the company I work for. When I faced unplanned pregnancy as a junior in college, they were supportive and offered me flexibility. After I graduated, my company offered me a full-time job and I accepted it. I am proud of the skills I provide to the company and am happy to be able to take care of my family.
What I love most about my job is all the paperwork and multiple things to juggle as a bookkeeper. I’m very detail-oriented, so knowing everything is in order at work is very satisfying. As a mom, you can’t control your children and things at home aren’t always clean and organized. I really enjoy keeping them in order at work.
The hardest part about balancing my job and motherhood is sometimes you feel like you’re being a bad employee for being a mom, and a bad mom for being an employee. I feel guilty at work for leaving my baby, but when I’m with my child I feel like I should be at work. It’s hard to feel like I’m present when my mind is always on the other job. It’s something I have to work really hard on.
I prioritize quality time with my kids by trying to take at least 10 minutes a day to turn off my phone, get down on [my son’s] level, and just play with him. I also try to include him in the boring household things, like mopping the floor or cooking dinner. I’m able to make it a bonding activity as well.
My advice for moms who want to pursue a career in my field is if you have an eye for detail, [bookkeeping] can be a very rewarding career. You don’t have to work long hours to be successful, and most companies are very flexible as long as you’re able to get your job done well. Bookkeeping is a great job for moms!3
You Can Do This
A good work-life balance is essential for women who parent. It’s important to choose a career that allows you to not only reach your professional potential, but also gives you free time for your personal life and space to maintain your mental health.
I hope these women’s words provide a launching point as you search for a career that offers healthy work-life balance. You are worthy of experiencing achievement and enjoyment in both your personal and professional life. You are capable and you can do this!