The battle that never ends: motherhood. This is one tough nut that’s been seasoned well with the chaos of everyday life for a mother. From laundry, school, lunch boxes, home, and work-related commitments, there’s an ever-changing long list of to-dos that make the day seem far too short. For whatever roles a mom plays, she only has a fixed number of hours in a week to figure out how to manage her work life and family life.
The good news is that you're not alone in the battle of motherhood. There are so many incredible women, from celebrities and sports icons to famous personalities and dignitaries in diverse fields of work who have been part of the battle and have succeeded at both fronts: family life and work life. Let’s read a few of their inspiring stories one by one and in their own words on how to they worked at balancing their life as a busy mom:
Serena Williams, a world champion tennis player, says - “Knowing I've got this beautiful baby to go home to makes me feel like I don't have to play another match. I don't need the money or the titles or the prestige. I want them, but I don't need them. That's a different feeling for me."
Sarah Jessica Parker, famous Hollywood actress and a mother of 3, shared - "There are many months when I'm not working and many months when Matthew isn't working and it can't all be on one person. You pass the baton and then the guy sprints ahead and runs his ass off!"
Michelle Obama, the former First Lady, wife of Barack Obama and a mother of 2, emphasizes instilling values in children should never erode with success and popularity. She said - “The truth of the matter was that whether I'm the first lady and he's the president, our first job is to make sure that our kids are on point. That is the most important legacy we will ever leave.”
Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, shared some of her wisdom at the opening of the Women of the World Conference in New York - “Too many young women are harder on themselves than circumstances warrant. They are too often selling themselves short. You should take criticism seriously because you might learn something, but you can’t let it crush you. You need other women, you need your friends to support you, and you need male friends as well as female ones. But at the end of the day, you really have to be good. You need to be well-educated, prepared, and willing to take your chances when they come your way.”
Jessica Alba, a popular celebrity and a mother of 2, revealed - "I always feel guilty when I'm working and not with Honor. But I do love to work, and I know that will have a positive influence on who she becomes as a person and a woman."
Katie Couric, an American journalist, a host and author, advocates for no guilt – “When you're at one place, don't feel bad that you're not at work; when you're at work, don't feel bad that you're not at home."
Victoria Beckham, a businesswoman, fashion designer and a former singer in the all-female pop group Spice Girls, said - “Like so many working mothers all over the world, I feel the constant struggle to be the best mother I can, whilst setting a good example to my children to work hard. I travel for work when it's necessary, and I miss them all the time when I am away."
Lucy Liu, a famous American actress, described motherhood as - "You're going to get advice from a lot of people and you can take bits and pieces, but you know innately what your child needs. You should trust that. Don't beat yourself up for making decisions about things that may or may not work. It's an experiment in life and you're a part of that."
Kim Kardashian, American media personality, businesswoman, socialite, and model, believes that - “It is an adjustment trying to balance a career and motherhood for sure, but the key is to prioritize. You become more selective and work on projects that are so meaningful because you want every other waking moment spent with your family. You have to remember, though, to make time for yourself."
It happens with nearly every mom when they are astounded with the different roles they need to play. However, all they need is time and to prioritize what matters most. This phrase isn’t just said for the sake of saying it - women are the best managers. Indeed they are.