Can she do it all? Can she completely be there for her child when she's in the office? Can she put enough effort in her work to be successful while she has a kid at home? Can she "have her cake and eat it, too?"
The constant questions all working women get when they also have a child, can she be a good mom and have a thriving career? Woman are often put in this dilemma of thinking they need to pick one or the other. That it's not possible to be able to give your full attention to both parts of your life if you're doing them at the same time.
I'm here to say, not only is it possible but I see it first hand every single day. My mother runs a successful company, but I have never felt neglected once in my life. She's my mom, and if I needed her she would be wherever I am at the drop of a hat. But she's also a career woman, and so far has had a prosperous career.
My mother never missed one soccer game or one parent teacher conference. She never made me feel second to her career. She put the family first, but that never stopped her from following her dreams and thriving professionally.
As I grow up and become more focused on what career I want to pursue I realize how hard and demanding it must be to be a working parent. The constant struggle of wondering if you're doing enough for both aspects of your life to be successful to make up a happy life for yourself. I don't want to discredit working fathers because they also are presented this dilemma of having a career and a family. However, as a working mother the situation does become a bit different.
A working mother, though not an outrageous idea now, was at one point in time unheard of. A mother was supposed to be there at the beck and call of her family because that was the job society deemed her to be responsible for. A mother was supposed to bake the cupcakes for the school fair. A mother was supposed to help with the homework. The mother was supposed to make the meals. The mother was supposed to make sure the house was in order. As time went on and women became career focused the idea of a working mother took hold, and yet some people still look down upon it.
I'm here to say that especially in this day and age no person should look down upon a woman for wanting a career and a family. No person should tell a woman she needs to stay at home with the kids or else she's a bad mother. No person should tell a woman that if she wants a family she can't also have a rewarding career.
From a young age my mother gave me the view that I could have it all. I could have my own personal goals and work towards all the success I wanted, but at the same time I could also build a home and a family. There were nights I knew she was tired, and yet she still read me a bedtime story. I know there were times it killed her to have to stay late at the office while we were all at home. But I also know she worked and works harder than anyone else because she wants to continue to have it all.
So here is a salute of appreciation to all of those working mothers out there. I know it's not easy and I know sometimes the world will look to you as if you're making a mistake and stretching yourself too thin. But there is a way to have it all, just ask my mom.
