PowerToFly writer, Chie Davis contributed to this post.
At PowerToFly, our motto is "everyday is Mother's Day." Not only is our remote staff 95 percent women, but our core mission of pairing highly skilled women in tech with top companies affects moms globally. Even if we aren't working toward matching a mother with a job, we're matching a woman who has a mother with a job!
Because many of us have children, "parenting life" is ingrained into our company culture. Not only do babies make appearances on conference calls, but we also encourage each other to maintain work-life integration. This includes working from home, creating a flexible schedule that works best for our lives, and even taking midday breaks for doctor's visits and school field trips. The result? We're a happier, more productive team that strives to lead balanced lives.
This Mother's Day, our global group of staffers at PowerToFly had some fun in our parenting themed Slack channel talking about how motherhood has influenced our careers and what we'd like our children to know about their working moms. Here are some of their thoughts.
Cathy Sharick, Executive Editor, New York
I want my kids to know that moms can have meaningful careers - even when they are working "upstairs." Working from a home office means that you can be there for bus pickups and soccer games while still getting your job done.
Courtney Mayberry, Talent Manager, Chicago
Mommyhood remixed my career completely in ways I welcomed and in ways I didn't. But it has given me the courage to take unbelievable risks, to ask for what I want and to trust God's timing. It hasn't been easy, but it has been worth every sacrifice to witness Parker's growth at each stage -- even potty training. (Help!)
Marie Elizabeth Oliver, Managing Editor, New Orleans
Becoming a mother made me reevaluate what I really wanted in my career. Knowing I had someone else looking up to me empowered (and continues to empower me) not to settle for just any "good" job, but to confidently pursue work that brings ME fulfillment and doesn't lead to burn out. I value my time so much more now because each hour I spend working is an hour away from my daughter, so I'm hyper focused on impact and efficiency in a way I never was before. I try to make each minute count! I want her to know she's made me a better person, and for that, I'm forever grateful.
Nada Mihovilovic, Scrum Master, Serbia Belgrade
The reason why I took remote job is to wrap a job around my life and not the other way around. It gives me sense of freedom, and that is a message I want to send to my children. Value your freedom.
Teodora Boyadzhieva, Talent Manager, Bulgaria
My advice to my son as a working mom is LOVE what you do and you will be GREAT at it! Don't forget to enjoy life all the way through, my little coconut.
Vanina Nikolova, Data Analyst, San Jose
Very often I get questioned by my 6-year-old-son: "Why do you have to work? Why can't I play after school with my classmates on the playground, but we have to hurry home? Why can't you take me to the beach after school?" He does not ask his dad these questions. He never challenges that his dad is going to work. And I have always worked so he has not seen differently. I want my boys to know that it is normal for moms to work, just as it is for dads. Some moms work because of financial necessity--they would love to stay with their kids, nurture them, watch them grow--but they have to work. We have to respect that and not blame them! Other moms work because of psychological necessity. They want to feel accomplished in professional ways, not only as moms. We have to respect that as well and not blame them! If you cannot stop whining "But why do you have to work!" at least for a change, please ask your father.
Anna Carillo, Operations Manager, Juarez, Mexico
I want my son to know that I have a mission in life and that it started before he was born. His presence now makes it more real and tangible. I want to be able to show him that we are here to help others, to give others an opportunity to grow and to become the best human beings they can, because life is just a stage and it should be lived at its fullest.
Kylie Maddex, Head of Sales, San Francisco
I want my boys to know that moms can run an empire and make it to their soccer game--all in a day's work. That we may not be able to "have it all," but we can have a solid balance of being a loving, present mom and a strong, driven career woman.
Lyndsay Sargent, Talent Manager, Maine
Becoming a mom made me rethink my career altogether. I went from working overnights and every overtime shift I could get my hands on before and during my pregnancy, to realizing it was impossible to work that schedule and be a full-time mom. Throughout my pregnancy I went back and forth about putting the baby in daycare during the day, so that I could still work (overtime) shifts. Once he was born, I realized that wasn't only impossible, it wasn't at all what I wanted. I knew I didn't want to miss any more time than was absolutely necessary. I didn't want to miss any milestones. I wanted to see it all. I carried him through the pregnancy, and I was his mom. I wanted to be the first one to give him solids, the first one to see him crawl or walk, the first one to hear him say "Mama." And I'm beyond lucky that I found PowerToFly when he was 3 months old and shortly after he turned 6 months old, I was working with PowerToFly. I never missed a minute with him. I would like Caleb to know that while I'm not able to do everything, I hope he'll look back and feel lucky to have a mom who is there for him through everything, but also a responsible, driven mom who put her heart and soul into work and her family.
Diala Alkhawaldeh, Product Manager, Amman, Jordan
I always thought if I had kids it would ruin my career forever. I'm a person who wants to be excellent at all times. I thought that if I was a rockstar mom, I couldn't be a rockstar at anything else -- until I actually became a mom. To my son Ameer: You brought out the best me. I've realized I must continue to be a rockstar in my career, a better person and a leader. I must have more patience, be extremely resilient, and do what I love to inspire you to do all of this and more. Putting my family first, while I become who I want to be, doesn't contradict itself after all. Both of them actually go together.
Chie Davis, Writer, Louisville, Kentucky
Before I had my daughter I was told that life would never be the same, which was actually a great thing. Motherhood has not only allowed me to take incredible risks -- personally and professionally, but also challenges me everyday to think bigger, live bolder and work smarter. Being a working mom is definitely not easy, but I want my daughter to know that she doesn't have to sacrifice her dreams or her sense of self for motherhood, something that is so integral and natural. Life is not an all-or-nothing situation, I want to show her that she can have a fulfilling career and an incredible family, while maximizing her talents and choosing how she wants to work.
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