Growing up my parents worked. I never really knew what it was like to have a stay at home mom or dad for that matter. I always had a working mom. When I was young, I remember thinking, when I grow up and have a kid I’m going to be a stay at home mom. I just wanted to be with my kids all the time and be able to give them what I wasn’t able to experience because my mom worked full time – she didn’t have an option. 

The reality is, I didn’t like staying at home! I mean, I loved the flexibility but I really missed having something for myself. I loved being a mom but I also wanted to do something else with my time and I talk to a lot of women who feel the same way. Women who adore being moms but they also love working. But for many of us working moms there might be that tension of “am I showing up enough for my kids” and “am I showing up enough at work.”

Finding confidence as a working mom can be tricky, but when I think of that, I think of my good friend Alex. She is a mom to 2 precious kiddos and owns her own business. Alex embodies finding confidence as a working mom and I had the privilege of sharing some of her mindset with you!

She is going to share her journey in motherhood and business and how she is able to find confidence in both and what that has looked like for her in different seasons. Here are 5 questions I asked her and her response:

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you first started balancing work and motherhood?

Alex said her biggest challenge was adjusting to how unpredictable life can be with kids. So adjusting her life and schedule to be flexible and be able to roll with the punches has been the biggest challenge. 

The other challenge is mom guilt. The guilt of not spending enough time with your kids. You realize how fast they grow up and you’re always questioning yourself.

Can you talk about a specific moment when you felt particularly confident in your role as a working mom?

She said that she was able to take her daughter to DisneyWorld for her fourth birthday with the money she had made working. Alex and her daughter got to spend the day there, just the two of them and it’s one of her favorite memories.

She was so proud of herself for having the freedom and flexibility to travel to Disney when she wanted and pay for the trip with her own money. Having the freedom to travel and that experience is the whole reason she says she stays working.

How do you handle feelings of guilt or self-doubt when they come up?

As a working mom, there are definitely some days where you feel guilty not being with your kids and doubt whether you are making the right decision especially when they are young and you know they won’t be a baby forever. 

But when those feelings of self-doubt come up, Alex remembers that she is doing it so she can be a better mom and give them a better life. 

What has been the most rewarding aspect of being a working mom for you?

Financial freedom was Alex’s answer. Freedom to book a trip with friends without having to ask her husband’s permission. Freedom to take a break to pick up my daughter from school every day. She loves that she is able to pursue both her dreams of running a design business and being a mom. 

Looking back, what is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self about balancing work and motherhood?

Alex said she would tell herself that she is responsible for her own happiness and not rely on others to create joy in your life.

If you are feeling lonely (like so many moms do), text your friends and set up a dinner, they likely need it just as much as you do. You need to stop waiting for others to create the life you want.

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Connect with Alex HERE

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