Juggling Motherhood and Ambition: A Work in Progress
There are days when I feel like I’m absolutely nailing it. My toddler is happy, my work tasks are checked off, and the house doesn’t look like a hurricane just passed through. But let’s be honest, those days are rare. A kind of unicorn in the chaotic, messy, beautiful blend of motherhood and career ambition. Most days, I feel like I’m balancing on a tightrope, holding a toddler in one hand and a laptop in the other, with dreams of career growth hovering just out of reach.
I’m a 30-year-old mom to my amazing daughter, and I want so badly to grow—both our family and my career. But I’d be lying if I said I had it all figured out. In fact, I’m still deep in the trenches of figuring it all out, and you know what? That’s okay. It’s okay to feel conflicted, to want more, and to not have a clear roadmap for how to get there.
The Emotional Tug-of-War
One of the hardest parts of juggling motherhood and ambition is the constant emotional tug-of-war. On the one hand, I love being a mom. My daughter is my world, and I wouldn’t trade the giggles, the cuddles, and even the tantrums for anything. On the other hand, I’m passionate about my career. I want to grow, take on new challenges, and create a legacy that goes beyond the walls of my home.
But here’s the thing: pursuing one often feels like it comes at the expense of the other. When I pour myself into work, I feel like I’m missing out on precious moments at home. When I focus solely on motherhood, I feel like I’m putting my ambitions on the back burner. It’s a push and pull that’s equal parts exhausting and exhilarating.
Feeling Stuck While Others Soar
If I’m being really honest, one of the most challenging aspects of this season is watching others soar while I feel stuck. I see colleagues and peers taking on exciting new roles, launching businesses, or reaching milestones in their careers. Meanwhile, I’m here, trying to figure out how to navigate growth within my current situation, growth that aligns with what’s best for my family.
It’s not that I’m not happy for them. I truly am. But it’s hard not to compare, to wonder if I’m falling behind or if I’m doing enough. These feelings don’t make me less grateful for my life or less capable as a mom or professional. They just make me human.
Taking Steps, Even Small Ones
While I don’t have a grand plan or all the answers, I have started taking steps to grow within the framework of what works for my family. For me, this means advocating for opportunities at work that align with my strengths and interests. It means being open to conversations about new roles and responsibilities, even if they feel daunting at first. And it means finding joy in the small wins, like completing a project that stretches my skills or receiving recognition for my contributions.
These steps may not look like leaps and bounds, but they’re progress. And progress, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.
Giving Myself Grace
If there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s the importance of giving myself grace. It’s okay that I don’t have everything figured out. It’s okay to feel conflicted and to have days where I’m overwhelmed by the weight of it all. It’s okay to want more while also being deeply grateful for what I already have.
Motherhood and ambition aren’t mutually exclusive, but they do require a delicate balance. One that shifts and evolves with time. Some seasons will require more of me as a mom, while others will allow me to lean more into my career. And that’s okay too.
Finding Connection in the Chaos
One of the reasons I’m sharing these thoughts is because I know I’m not alone. There are so many of us out there—moms who are navigating the complexities of wanting to be everything to our kids while also chasing our dreams. We don’t talk about it enough, but I think we should. There’s comfort in knowing we’re not alone, in sharing our struggles and triumphs, and in cheering each other on.
So, if you’re in the thick of it too, know this: it’s okay to feel all the feelings. It’s okay to want more. It’s okay to not have it all figured out. And it’s okay to take it one step at a time.
The Work in Progress
I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t have a five-year plan, and I’m not sure what the next big career move will be. But I do know this: I’m committed to growing, as a mom, as a professional, and as a person. I’m committed to finding ways to pursue my ambitions while also prioritizing what matters most to me.
And for now, that’s enough. Because growth doesn’t have to be perfect or linear. It just has to be yours.