Honest Perspectives About Working Motherhood (and Beyond)
Mother's Day often brings images of celebration and appreciation, and rightfully so. But beyond the bouquets and brunches, there's a deeper, often unspoken reality for working mothers and anyone striving to balance professional ambitions with the demands of personal life. Recently our founder, Amy, invited the Wayfinder team to share their honest reflections on this intricate dance. Their responses offer a glimpse into the challenges, triumphs, and evolving perspectives of navigating work, family, and everything in between. We hope their words offer encouragement or perspective on your own journey!
Here's what they had to say:
Q: What part of being a working mom do you think is most misunderstood or oversimplified?
Becca: "It is oversimplified how challenging it is to raise a child and work. The balance is so hard. My calling to be there for my baby 24/7, but to also be a part of a team outside that is a constant juggle, all while maintaining my home that I have worked so hard for can make each day feel very draining."
Kara: "That going to work is a break from motherhood, it’s not. We carry both roles with us, always."
Q: Describe a moment where you felt like you were doing both things well—leading at work and being present at home. What made that possible?
Lydia: "When I had the right support system—both at home and at work. Partnership and community make all the difference."
Kara: "I don’t know that I can think of a particular moment but I feel this often enough – at field trips, sports, or when helping my kids process big emotions. Or by speaking up in meetings or by leaning in when things get uncomfy. It’s possible because: I have a supportive husband who believes I’m a badass and cheers me on. I have Wayfinder – a company that doesn’t make me choose. They celebrate my role as a mom and a leader."
Q: Has being a mother shaped how you lead or care for others at work?
Becca: "Becoming a mother has greatly shaped how I lead and care for others at work. While I have always been an incredibly empathetic person, having to care for my baby has made me even more empathetic to the human experience... I want to make sure that they feel supported, heard, and celebrated."
Kara: "100%. I’ve learned to listen better, build deeper relationships, be vulnerable, and have hard conversations—even when it’s uncomfortable."
Q: When you think about “success” in this season of life, how has your definition shifted?
Lydia: "I used to think success meant more. Now, I know less—more space, more presence—is where the real value is."
Anna: "Personally, I have let go of hustling and chasing everything the world is throwing at me and prioritize my boys first... During these years, success may look dull for some, but for me it looks like showing up to school events, sports games, and having breakfast and dinner every day together."
Q: What’s something you’ve let go of in order to lead or parent with more intention?
Becca: "I am learning to let go of my constant concern of what others think of me and how I navigate this life of mine... I cannot be on call for everyone, all the time... my priorities have shifted (as they should) and that is ok."
Lydia: "Perfection. Letting it go made room for presence, authenticity, and real connection. This is however something I am always working on."
Beyond Motherhood: Navigating the Balance for Everyone
The challenges of balancing work and personal life aren't exclusive to mothers. Kyla shared her experience navigating college, research, and work:
Q: In your own life, how do you navigate the tension between being great at your job and being present in your personal life?
Kyla: "One way that I navigate and mitigate this stress is by working out every day... I see a massive shift in my mood and get a burst of energy to keep me going throughout the day."
Q: What do you think leaders (especially in healthcare and admin roles) get wrong about how people want to be supported during seasons of high personal demand?
Kyla: "I think the best way leaders can support people in times of high stress and demand is to offer flexibility.
Whether it's the unique experience of working motherhood or the collective pursuit of balance, these insights remind us of our humanity and how much interplay there is between our personal and working lives. At Wayfinder, we are committed to fostering a workplace that understands and respects the whole person, recognizing that our greatest strength lies in the diverse experiences and perspectives of our team.
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References
Edmondson, A. C. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999
Pink, D. H. (2009). Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us. Riverhead Books.
Campbell, D. T. (1976). Assessing the impact of planned social change. In G. Lyons (Ed.), Social Research and Public Policies: The Dartmouth/OECD Conference (pp. 3–45). Dartmouth College.
Rock, D., Davis, J., & Jones, B. (2014). The problem with performance reviews. Harvard Business Review.
https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-problem-with-performance-reviews
