Advice From Famous Working Moms

Balancing work and motherhood is an impossible feat, no matter how hard we try as moms. Being a mom is all-encompassing, and building a successful career is all-consuming, leaving close to no time to do anything else, including sleep. So again, an impossible feat.

But that hasn’t stopped some of the most successful and influential people from doing both. These women might do it flawlessly too, but they aren’t doing it without feeling overwhelmed. Because being overwhelmed, whether you are a stay-at-home, working mom, or anywhere in between, is normal.

Say it again.

It is normal to feel overwhelmed as a mom.

So, what advice do a pair of very busy and successful working moms, who you can hear on numerous media outlets, have for all of us?

Preach ladies…

Being a working mom is a REAL balancing act- the mom guilt is so real. My approach is focusing on the example I am setting for my children. I hope they see an independent woman who is designing her future while balancing motherhood. 

Personally, I like to schedule EVERYTHING in a digital calendar, even quality time with my kids, so that when it's their time, I am FULLY available. I also do ‘no phone’ in the bedroom, which helps me focus on stories, conversation, and connection.

Lauryn Evarts Bosstick
blogger, podcaster, entrepreneur, Zaza and Townes’s mom

There are so many moments as a working mother you will think and question yourself, ‘how can I possibly do all of this in one day?’ The answer is you can’t. I have learned to prioritize and give myself grace when it comes to trying to achieve everything. I’ve learned that it’s ok if my car needs a wash and I don’t go, if I forget to send my best friend a birthday card, or if I don’t pick up the dry cleaning on the day it’s done. These aren’t mandatory.

 

My best friend Cassidy Hubbarth also gave me a great piece of advice that I think about on every single work trip. It’s impossible to be in two places at once, so if you can’t be with your family and you have to be at work, then go be the best version of your professional self. I’ve learned to be laser-focused when I’m reporting on the road because I allow myself to take care of that responsibility knowing that when I get home, my kids will have all my attention. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, we’re all in this together!

Dianna Russini

journalist, NFL ESPN reporter, Mikey and Joey’s mom

There’s no better time than Mother’s Day to slow down and reflect on the mom you are and the mom you strive to be every day. No parent goes to bed feeling 100% about both the job they did as a mom and the job they did as a professional on any given day. Some days it might feel like 20% mom, 80% professional. On other days, 80% mom and 20% professional. But if you know you put your best into both based on what the day brought, it should be good enough.

So, raise your glass while holding your baby, smartphone, spouse’s hand, grocery list, child’s school schedule, business plan, and microphone because you deserve it. And don’t allow the mom guilt to creep in, either. Mom guilt is like a Karen, and we all know there’s no vacancy for Karens in the headspace of any mom doing their best.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!