You're being true to yourself and setting an awesome example for your kids along the way.
By Nicole Rodrigues, Working Mother
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Our kids learn valuable lessons when they see us succeed. |
By Nicole Rodrigues, Working Mother
I don’t have to tell you that being a mom is hard work. You already know that. You also know having a successful career can be just as hard—often harder.
So for those of us trying to kick ass to combine the two most important aspects of our lives, let me be one of the many who should be telling you I’m proud of you.
For new moms who are just starting off on your journey into motherhood and/or career building, you better believe it’s one of the most difficult things you’ll do. I had my daughter just weeks after graduating from college. I had barely begun my work life, and I was already a parent. Instead of seeing my situation as a setback or obstacle, I dove straight into my career to prove to myself and my daughter that no goal is out of reach.
I’m proud to say I’ve been balancing career and motherhood for almost 16 years. I’m now the CEO of one of the top 50 PR agencies in Los Angeles, and there’s not a single thing I would change.
[post_ads]All too often, I’ve encountered other working moms who tell me they feel guilty for being successful at work. They say they feel like they should be spending that time at home with their kids. They admit to passing on amazing opportunities for their career because it would require more time traveling, away from home and their kids.
Though I do agree that quality time with your kids is important, it’s equally important to feel fulfilled in whatever your life’s purpose is. Don’t dads get to do that? We should have the same opportunity, while still being the loving and nurturing mothers/wives our family needs—because we’re women, and we can balance it all. It’s our gift.
Carve very specific time out for your kids.
From vacations to mini dates, plan specific dates and times to spend together. When you’re not present, technology can be there to help: iPhone users can take advantage of FaceTime. If not, simple phone calls can do the trick. When you make the effort to carve out minutes or hours in your day, your kids will appreciate it.
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I have regular phone dates with my daughter, we go on mother/daughter vacations and we hit Disneyland as often as we can. It’s our thing! I also text her daily and send her silly Bitmojis or jokes on Snapchat to let her know I’m thinking of her and want to brighten her day. Just like you would and should in a relationship with a spouse or partner, when you care for someone you find a way to let them know. Do the same for your kids.
What I hope you’ll take from all of this is a certain level of confidence. Know that it’s OK to be successful, chase your career goals and follow your passions in life. Don’t let anyone, especially other moms, tell you otherwise.
It’s happened to me and I’ve never listened to them. I’ve listened to my heart, my gut and my kid—which is what you should do too. Know that when you’re reaching goals and showing your kids love at the same time, you’re passing along an invaluable lesson to your children, which will ensure their life is filled with a similar sense of purpose, drive and accomplishment.
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