Ms. Career Girl

Top Menu

  • Home
  • Media
  • About
    • Terms of Use & Copyright Notice
    • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • PR and FTC Disclosure
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Careers
    • Productivity
    • Career Confessions
    • #SideHustle
    • Job Search Advice
    • Resume Optimization Tool
    • Job Board
  • Lifestyle
    • Life After College
    • Health & Beauty
    • Style
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Product Reviews
  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Marriage
    • Working Moms
  • Specials
    • Real Career Girls
    • Style Your Life
    • Book Club
    • Giveaways
  • Home
  • Media
  • About
    • Terms of Use & Copyright Notice
    • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • PR and FTC Disclosure
  • Subscribe

logo

  • Home
  • Careers
    • Productivity
    • Career Confessions
    • #SideHustle
    • Job Search Advice
    • Resume Optimization Tool
    • Job Board
  • Lifestyle
    • Life After College
    • Health & Beauty
    • Style
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Product Reviews
  • Relationships
    • Dating
    • Marriage
    • Working Moms
  • Specials
    • Real Career Girls
    • Style Your Life
    • Book Club
    • Giveaways
FeaturedNewsSelfWork
Home›Featured›6 Tips for Rejecting Unrealistic Standards of Motherhood Alongside Your Career

6 Tips for Rejecting Unrealistic Standards of Motherhood Alongside Your Career

By Angela Engel
May 23, 2022
258
0
Share:
motherhood and career

Have you heard of the concept “Mastering Motherhood”? To me, it represents an unrealistic standard that moms have to strive for an idealized version of motherhood, and one that often excludes career-oriented goals. I’ve learned through hard experience that chasing after ideals rarely ends in success. 

Forget the idea of balance

There is no true work-life balance. I don’t have a “work self” and “home-self.” Instead, they are both part of the larger picture that makes up my life.

Do away with “Mom Guilt”

You can feel guilt but do not have it be an excuse to hold YOU back from your own passion. Moms often feel lots of guilt in relation to their careers, but men never do. It may mean having a hard conversation with your partner about working the “second shift,” but ultimately you will be able to be more personally fulfilled in the long run. 

Be Fearless

I founded my own business, and in doing so, gave myself the agency to set my own schedule and prioritize my life and career in a way that makes sense as a mom. It was a huge leap, but it’s impacted me and the women on my team. 

Give Yourself Permission to be Imperfect

Instead of always making lemonade out of lemons, just remember that lemons aren’t so bad. We are most connected with humanity in these imperfect spaces in life. Empathy is so important in the workplace and as a mother. 

via Self Magazine

Stories are important

Stories teach us lessons about how we can strive to be better humans, not perfect ones. Instead of trying to “master motherhood,” try to incorporate useful lessons into your daily practices. 

Be Assertive and Unapologetic  

Women are often called “aggressive” when they simply advocate for themselves. I’ve found that as a mom especially, men don’t expect us to prioritize our careers and really be unapologetic about seeking success. Don’t hold back just because of peoples’ perceptions. 

Instead of viewing motherhood as an impediment to your career, treat it as a resource for being a more effective leader and team member. There is constant pressure on moms to master motherhood, and in doing so, halt their careers. I view it as simply living a holistic life, as a mother, entrepreneur, and team leader. My career is important to me, but it isn’t my “everything.” My life as a mother and a business owner has been about making mistakes and learning from them. There is no way to separate the lessons I’ve learned from each role. For me, it’s not about “Mastering Motherhood” or “Mastering Work,” instead it’s a never-ending process of seeking self and striving for my own personal brand of success.

This guest post was authored by Angela Engel

Angela Engel grew up in Minneapolis, MN, and now lives in Oakland, CA with her husband and three daughters. She worked in traditional publishing for many years, at award-winning presses such as Chronicle Books, Ten Speed Press, and Cameron + Company, but launched her own publishing company in 2019. With The Collective Book Studio, Engel has the opportunity to provide authors the support they need to get a book out into the world, from start to finish.

Tagswork-life balanceworking mothers
Previous Article

What You Need To Know About The ...

Next Article

A Guide to Choosing an Air Conditioner ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0

Angela Engel

Angela Engel grew up in Minneapolis, MN, and now lives in Oakland, CA with her husband and three daughters. She worked in traditional publishing for many years, at award-winning presses such as Chronicle Books, Ten Speed Press, and Cameron + Company, but launched her own publishing company in 2019. With The Collective Book Studio, Engel has the opportunity to provide authors the support they need to get a book out into the world, from start to finish.

Related articles More from author

  • #SideHustleCareer ConfessionsWork

    Making Money In Your Sleep: The Importance of Creating Passive Income

    Aug 31, 2009
    By Ms. Career Girl
  • FeaturedNewsWorking Moms

    The Biggest Regrets of Working Mothers

    May 13, 2018
    By Inspiring Interns
  • FeaturedNewsWorking Moms

    How to Make Your Company Friendlier to Working Mothers (and Why You Should)

    Dec 6, 2018
    By Ms. Career Girl
  • running a business
    FeaturedNewsWork

    Forget Balance. You Need a Work-Life Breakthrough

    Oct 7, 2020
    By Ms. Career Girl
  • work-life balance
    Work

    Are You Suffering from Burnout? 5 Ways BetterHelp and therapy Can Improve Work-Life Balance

    Oct 30, 2020
    By Maria Bashi
  • work-life balance
    Family Life

    A Work-Life Balance Guide for Single Parents

    May 18, 2021
    By Maria Bashi

  • Career ConfessionsLife After CollegeSelfWork

    A Tale of High Achieving Career Ladies

  • work in sales
    Life After CollegeSelfWork

    Why an entry level sales job is a great way to kickoff your career

  • Find a Career
    #SideHustleLife After CollegeSelfWork

    Get a Modern Day Career Path Dream Catcher

Subscribe

Job Search

As seen on

career advice blog badge oriel badge

Featured On

  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Resume Optimization Tool
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© Copyright 2021 Ms Career Girl