Career parents need to stop being told that it is possible to balance work and family as if somehow the pendulum can equal one another at any point. I tell myself daily I’m a better parent because of my career; without it, I would not be the parent I am today. We must look at things differently and acknowledge that perfection can never be the goal with career and family; it’s impossible to meet. As a mother and CEO, I remind myself daily that there will always be a swing to the pendulum where my career will require more of me one day, and then the next day, the pendulum shifts, and parenting has to come first. Too often, our expectations of ourselves are beyond our reach when it comes to being the perfect parent and the entrepreneur expected to do it all. In those hard days of self-doubt, I tell myself that there is perfection in imperfection, which has more powerful learnings to support building a successful organization and being the parent I strive to be than reaching for flawlessness in both.
As a CEO and a mom i'm navigating a complex maze. I've learned to ask for help. I've built a strong support network both at home and at work, and I'm not afraid to ask for help when I need it. Whether it's delegating tasks to my team or leaning on my husband and extended family for support, I've come to realize that I don't have to do it all alone. I will mess up, I will miss out, I will make it happen and all of that is ok.
Managing life as a mom and CEO can be challenging but one of the greatest things that helped me in the transition was to manage my expectations about this season of life. Understanding that my capacity was different allowed me to release the pressure of what productivity looked like previously. When it came to motherhood, I changed my mindset from, "I have to" to "I get to". Also having a daily routine helps tremendously for both myself and children. The key is to fall into a flexible rhythm and not a rigid routine.
The best strategy I can give on balancing being a mom and a CEO is to prioritize and delegate. One way to do this is by creating a schedule or routine that works for both roles. This could mean setting aside specific blocks of time for work and family, and making sure to stick to it as much as possible. It's also important to communicate with your team at work and your family at home about your schedule so that everyone is on the same page and can support you in maintaining this balance. Additionally, delegating tasks both at work and at home is crucial in achieving this balance. As a CEO, you have a team to support and help you with tasks, so it's important to delegate responsibilities and trust in your team to handle them efficiently. At home, involving your family in household chores and tasks can also help lessen the workload on you as a mom.
As working parents, we carry a ton of guilt and set ourselves up for disappointment when we try to adhere to society’s standards of “doing it all" or carrying it all. As a former network news anchor turned founder/CEO, I’ve learned to drop the perfectionism and instead, accept that every day I’ll drop a ball or two…or even, three. The key is: keep the glass balls in the air (because those ones shatter), let the plastic ones fall. In doing that, I drop the perfectionism, get my priorities in order and embrace my humanity, showing my family what it means to give oneself (and others) plenty of grace. -Paula Faris, Founder CARRY™, Journalist and Author ((NOTE: I attempted to upload my photos several times...it wouldn't take. Please email me if you need it. Paula@carrymedia.com))
Being a mom and CEO is challenging to navigate. The most powerful strategy I've adopted is to use my values to clearly identify boundaries. The most impactful boundary I've created, and clearly communicated, is around my paid working availability. For example, those that I work with are aware that I do not have Slack app notifications on my phone to limit distractions. If I receive a message after working hours, colleagues and clients know they will not receive a response until the following day. This boundary has created a powerful separation between my paid work and home life that empowers me to be fully present and bring the best version of myself to both. - Tara Ryan is CEO/Founder, InfiniDEI and a Fair Play Method Certified Facilitator
I´m already a mother aka leader for 10 years now. Having this said, the essential strategy I learned was the chaordic leadership model. Chaordic is a term combining of the words "Chaos" and "Order". Usually we think about CEO as order and Motherhood about chaos. When we learn that both are required to find creativity, balance, safety and innovation, our satisfaction and performance are reinforced. What also works for me is to know and apply the «Fair Play» game about invisible care work historically held by women.
How do you balance being a Mom and CEO? This may be shocking but… I make myself replaceable at work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and my company. But nothing is more important to me than having the freedom to prioritize showing up as a mom in all the ways that matter most to me. As a CEO who craves ultimate flexibility, this means intentionally and consistently setting up systems, tools, processes, and people to allow me to step in and out of the business, without missing a beat. I've taken several steps to create my ultimate CEO-support model including documenting all company standards and processes, ensuring I have the right administrative and strategic support (shout out to my Chief of Staff!), onboarding my team to a highly effective project management tech stack, and ensuring wide-spread transparency and communication with my team and family about my flexibility goals as CEO. Being intentional about these CEO hacks has allowed me to never miss a milestone with my business, and most importantly, feel immense satisfaction and fulfillment as a new mom to my little guy.
As the mom of two teenagers, one of the best ways that I balance being a mother and a CEO is by including my children in conversations surrounding my business and teaching them facets of entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Not only does it keep them engaged and interested in what I am working on, but it keeps us connected. Sharing what I am working on gives them insight into entrepreneurship, sales, marketing, branding, and most importantly, how they too can pursue their dreams. Their time left with me at home is limited, and I am focused on making the very most of it as a family while modeling what entrepreneurship is in practice.
As a child life specialist in hospitals, I always dedicated myself fully to every family I encountered because they deserve nothing less from their care team. Now, as a mom and CEO, I apply the same principle. When I'm with my children, they receive all my attention, and when I'm working, I'm completely focused. I've learned that attempting to juggle everything simultaneously only dilutes my ability to fully excel in each role I take on.
As Vice President of Human Resources, I was a busy mother of two before I left my job to start my own executive coaching business in the fall of 2022. In early 2023, I found out that I was expecting my daughter, which made me realize the importance of balancing my family and work time. I struggled with switching between work and family time, so I decided to adjust my client schedule to serve clients only on Monday and Tuesday, allowing me to spend the rest of the week with my family. I have an amazing support system, and my husband is an equal partner who helps me manage the day-to-day tasks, especially during my workdays. As a working mom, I often experience mom guilt, feeling like I'm not doing enough for my kids and around the house. Most days feel like organized chaos, but as long as my family and business are thriving, I know that I'm on the right track.
Being a Mom and business owner is all about managing your time, and of course, having a great team. By ensuring I have the right team members, processes and help from friends and family, I can easily juggle building my business and spending time with my family! Don;t be afraid to delegate or automate to take the stress off you and your team!
Obviously, I am not a mother, but our Co-founder is! She's a mother of two kids under 5 and continues to be an innovative powerhouse at the helm. Would you like to reach out directly to her? kanyarat@simyasolutions.com
When discussing being a mom and a CEO, I prefer “integration” rather than balance. To me, calling it an integration acknowledges the dynamic needs of both roles. Some days, I need to put my head down and focus my hours on work, but other days, I need to be in full mom mode. But some days, I get to integrate the two. I recently had a business trip to California and took my daughter with me. Once I finished my meetings, we checked out a few Coachella shows while in the area. This is a perfect example of integrating those two roles. I got to handle business, meet with clients, spend time with my daughter, and make memories together — all during the same trip. My daughter started college last fall, officially becoming an “adult.” This has been a significant lifestyle shift for me and has encouraged me to embrace a new way of parenting. Parenting is a lot of trial and error, but I’ve found key ways to integrate my role as a mom and CEO to ensure I’m showing up as my best self in each position. In a way, being a mom and a CEO is really like running two businesses. Prioritize Strategically: It’s crucial to prioritize work and personal tasks based on urgency and importance. There will be some days when you need to prioritize your work and others when you have family commitments that require your attention first. It’s also important to be flexible. There will be days when you plan to focus on work, but a family emergency needs your immediate attention. Some things are out of your control, but a flexible schedule can allow you to pivot whenever necessary. Calendar Blocking: Calendar blocking is a great time management tool that helps me keep my priorities clear by dividing my day into different blocks of time dedicated to completing specific tasks. Not only does this strategy allow me to keep my work tasks on schedule, but it also helps me block out designated time for my family. Set Boundaries: Family time is family time. It’s important to set clear boundaries with yourself and colleagues and set aside time to connect with loved ones genuinely. This means you don’t do any work tasks during this time. It’s essential to be thoughtful and present and make time for your family and yourself outside of work. I love being a CEO and my work with clients, but my favorite job title I’ve ever held is “mom.”
Setting realistic expectations and boundaries As a wife and a mother, and also as the founder and CEO of my real estate business, the understanding that I am literally not superhuman, has been key in helping me stay productively efficient when it comes to juggling my duties and responsibilities as a mother with that of ensuring that my business stays productive. The truth is, quite early in my career, I learnt the importance of having realistic expectations for myself and my abilities, and this understanding has guided me both in establishing a healthy boundary between my worklife and professional life, and adapting my work schedule to my family's daily schedule. Yes, as a CEO, growing my business and ensuring that it scales new heights of success is one of my top priorities, especially considering the fact that the real estate market is quite a competitive one. However, as a Mom, spending quality time with my kids is something I hold to a higher degree, and consider to be much more important. One strategy that has helped me achieve this balance between both of my schedules, is in setting realistic expectations and boundaries between my work life and home life. First of all, because I understand that I can not possibly handle my work responsibilities all on my own without being forced to bring too much work home, I make sure to delegate some duties to capable members of my team, this way, I have less on my plate, and less to worry about. This strategy also affords me the opportunity to set a healthy boundary between both aspects of my life, and also achieving an effective and satisfying balance between both.
Balancing the demanding roles of motherhood and being a CEO requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond traditional time management techniques. As a therapist and coach specialised in supporting women in C-level roles navigating this delicate balance, I often encourage my clients to embrace the concept of "integration" rather than "balance." Integration involves finding creative ways to merge aspects of motherhood and leadership seamlessly, rather than striving for an elusive equilibrium between the two. One unique strategy is to involve your children in your entrepreneurial journey, whether it's bringing them to the office occasionally or incorporating them into brainstorming sessions for new ideas. This not only strengthens your bond with your children but also instils in them valuable lessons about entrepreneurship and resilience from a young age. Additionally, leveraging technology to maximise flexibility and efficiency can be a game-changer. Embracing remote work options, utilising productivity tools, and outsourcing tasks can help you streamline your workflow and free up more time for meaningful moments with your family. Ultimately, by reframing the concept of balance and integrating your roles as a mother and a CEO, you can create a fulfilling and sustainable lifestyle that honours both your professional ambitions and your role as a parent.
The key to balancing a demanding career and parenting is single-mindedness. I made a promise to myself early on that I'd be wholly present in the moment. When I'm at work, it's go time. When I'm at home, I set the papers aside and commit to parenthood. It's not easy, but the alternative is worse: no one can mentally be in two places at once. I've seen Moms try, and it's not pretty. They end up feeling like they are never quite enough. Mental fortitude is key, as is setting strong barriers between career and home life. Ideally, these are physical. If you have a home office, keep it separate from the rest of the house. Make the necessary schedule and stick to it without second-guessing yourself.
Balancing being a mom and CEO is challenging. However, it is essential to prioritize and set boundaries. My best strategy is to establish a clear schedule that allows me to have dedicated time for both roles. I decide on specific blocks of time for work tasks and focus on them during the assigned period. Similarly, I take out some quality time with my family. But to be honest, I don’t believe in work-life balance. It means, giving 8 hours to the office, 2 hours to children, and 1 hour to family and friends each day is not practically possible. You can keep your focus on one thing at a time. So, I try to dedicate weekends to family, friends, and my kids. So that during working days I don’t have to think about work-life balance. I set realistic expectations with both my family and colleagues. It helps manage everyone’s expectations and reduces stress. Additionally, I am blessed with a credible team so I can trust them with many tasks to handle when I am not in the office.
Balancing Parenthood and Leadership as a CEO Balancing the roles of being a mom and a CEO can be challenging, but one strategy that has worked wonders for me is prioritizing and delegating effectively. I've found that setting clear boundaries between work and family time is crucial. When I'm at work, I focus wholeheartedly on the tasks at hand, utilizing technology and efficient communication to stay connected with my team. However, when I'm with my family, I strive to be fully present, making the most of our time together without distractions from work. Delegating tasks both at home and in the office has also been essential; it allows me to focus on the most critical aspects of each role while trusting others to handle the rest. One memorable instance was during a crucial business trip where I had to balance an important meeting and my daughter's school event. I prioritized attending the event, and through effective delegation and communication with my team, we managed to nail the meeting outcome while I cherished a special moment with my daughter. Finding this balance is an ongoing journey, but by staying organized, setting boundaries, and trusting my team and family, I've been able to thrive in both roles.
CEO at Top Apps
Answered 2 years ago
Being a CEO and a mother is like running two organizations simultaneously. The responsibilities are immense, but so are the rewards. During the most challenging times of managing a business and a family, my support system became my anchor. It's not just about having people around you; it's about having the right people who understand your journey and are ready to step in when you need them. There have been countless instances where my support system has been my lifeline. During the initial stages of my startup, when I was working late nights and early mornings, my support system stepped in to help with childcare. This allowed me to focus on my work without worrying about my children's well-being. The perception of working mothers often swings between two extremes. On one hand, we're seen as superwomen, effortlessly juggling diapers, and deals. On the other, we're painted as neglectful parents, prioritizing our careers over our children. Both these views are far from the truth. If you're on a similar journey, here are some things that helped me embrace imperfection in my pursuit of balance: 1. Acknowledge your limitations: You're human, and you can't do everything. Recognize your limitations and be okay with them. 2. Celebrate your progress: Instead of focusing on what you haven't achieved, celebrate what you have. Every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. 3. Ask for help: You don't have to do it all alone. Delegate tasks, ask for help, and build a support system around you. 4. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same compassion and understanding you would offer to a friend. 5. Reframe your perspective: Instead of viewing imperfection as a flaw, see it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Despite the challenges, the rewards of successfully balancing motherhood and a CEO role are worth it. The sense of accomplishment that comes from managing a successful business while raising a well-adjusted kid is unparalleled.