Being a working mom comes with challenges. But while it can be exhausting and frustrating, it is also very rewarding. I knew that I wanted to continue my career after having my daughter, but I had to figure out how I could have the best of both worlds. I am fortunate to have a great support system both at home and at work, which has allowed me to be a working mom.
One challenge of being a working mom involves scheduling my time. Once I had my daughter, I realized that her schedule would dictate mine. The ability to come to work early or stay at work extra late without notice was no longer an option. Now my days and weeks are planned from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to sleep. It helps me to be organized. Mornings can be rough trying to get everyone ready, so I prepare the night before. This is not always foolproof, but it does help to minimize some of my morning stresses.
Trying to balance work life and family life is not easy either. I have been a working mom for a year now, and there are still days when I am trying to achieve that “perfect” balance. Does it even exist? When I have days where I am questioning my balance, I sit back and think about why I might be feeling a certain way, and I come up with a plan to try to fix it. For example: Maybe I need to leave work a little earlier the next day so I have more time for my family’s evening routine, and then I’ll make up work time after my daughter is in bed.
Another challenge, and possibly my biggest, is dealing with the “mom guilt.” Should I be home with my baby? Will she even know who I am? How do I know if someone else can provide care for her the way I can? These are all questions I had when deciding to go back to work, and some I am still trying to answer. These thoughts were not easy to overcome, but the answers became more apparent as time passed. I realized I gradually felt more comfortable leaving my daughter in someone else’s care and I actually looked forward to going to work (and having adult conversations!). I always tried to look at the “big picture.”
My goal is to instill in my daughter the idea that women have a role and are valued in the workplace. I feel this will be one of the most rewarding aspects of my career as both an accountant and a mom. My daughter will be able to see me in multiple roles – as a mom, a wife, a friend, a co-worker, etc.
Another rewarding piece to being a working mom is the ability to help provide for my family. My husband and I have always been, and always will be, a team in this game of life. It is essential for me to be able to contribute both in terms of our family and our financial stability.
A few pieces of advice for the new working moms out there are to make sure you have a good support system, let go of the “mom guilt,” and remember that you will not always have the “perfect” balance. It is important to look at the bigger picture and to not harp on the small things in life. In the end, all you can do is try your best.
Meghan DiDonato is a senior accountant in Kreischer Miller’s Audit & Accounting group and a member of the firm's investment industry group, where she has a wide range of experience in the investment industry, including providing traditional audit services to investment managers and advisors, and investment funds. Meghan joined Kreischer Miller in 2011. Contact her at Email.
Also check out: