Motherhood, Ambition, and Everything in Between 

I became a mother at the very end of 2024. I welcomed my beautiful baby boy on December 16th after a very stressful (yet uncomplicated) pregnancy. I was fortunate enough to receive three months of paid maternity leave, which allowed me to heal (somewhat), spend quality time with my son, and, along with my husband, adjust to the new addition to our family.

Returning to work was bittersweet. We’d been wrapped in a safe cocoon for three months, which were spent mostly cuddled on the couch, trying out new recipes, and taking tons of pictures. Now, it was time to go back into the real world, to be away from my son for hours on end, to deal with the change of hormones and anxiety that comes with caring for a small, helpless human being while also showing up as a leader at work. 

I’m lucky to at least enjoy my job and the people I work with, which made it easier for me to adjust to being back at work. The flexibility in my schedule continues to help me prioritize myself and my family as I get used to this new way of life. 

My career is important to me. I’ve built it quickly and efficiently over the past 10 years. But now, my son is more important to me than anything or anyone else in the world. I want to be a present mom. I want to continue elevating in my career. It’s a constant juggle of needs and priorities that shift by the day. My biggest challenge to date.

And what I’m realizing is that this season isn’t asking me to choose between being a present mom and a woman who still wants to grow in her career. It’s asking me to figure out how to hold both. Some days feel smooth and steady, and other days feel like everything is shifting under my feet, but I’m learning to move with it instead of fighting it.

I’m giving myself room to evolve, to slow down when I need to, and to keep pushing when it matters. I want my son to grow up knowing that his mom showed up for him fully, and also showed up for herself. That both things can exist at the same time. That both things matter.

So yes, it’s a challenge, but it’s also shaping me into someone more patient, softer, and more grounded than I expected. And even on the days when I’m tired, or unsure, or just trying to find my footing, I’m grateful. Grateful for him, grateful for this version of life, and grateful that I get to figure it all out as I go.