Embracing the Work-Life Balance: Finding Fulfilment in Both Career and Family
I’ll admit it. In my twenties, I’d roll my eyes at the thought of having a part-time or flexible worker on the team. Thankfully, times have moved on, and so have I. Today, we’re far more educated about the benefits of flexibility, family-friendly policies, and how work-life balance positively impacts mental health. But as I’ve juggled parenthood with a career, I’ve realised that everything works smoothly—until it doesn’t. What about those days you show up at work wearing mismatched shoes? Or when you’re warned not to mention childcare struggles to senior leaders because “it won’t look good”?
Before children, I relocated to Wiltshire with my husband to live on his family’s farm and set up our forever home. I quickly fell into a traditional role as a farmer’s wife, and when we had our three children, my mother-in-law was invaluable for childcare. Sadly, after my youngest was born, we lost her to cancer, and without family nearby, balancing parenthood and work became very tough. A few years later, we moved my own mum down next door to lend a hand. In those early days, I had a gruelling 1.5-hour round trip to drop off and pick up the children. Working three days a week, I somehow juggled a mix of childcare, preschool, and school logistics, all while dealing with the exhaustion only a parent with sleepless nights can understand.
Conquering Guilt and Prioritising Self-Care as a Working Mum
Why didn’t I choose to be a stay-at-home mum? Because I needed to do something for myself, and although I loved being at home with my children, I wanted to stay connected to my career. I've always managed to work part-time since having kids, aside from a year of “madness” when I pursued a PGCE. I wanted my children to see me working, to understand that you can have both a family and a career. Ironically, as my kids have grown, they seem to need me just as much, only in different ways, whether for late-night advice or school support.
When COVID-19 hit, the already difficult juggling act became a feat of survival. We were suddenly managing home-schooling, isolation, and a touch too much DIY. My kids were older— now 19, 17, and 16—so they managed well, but I’m honestly not sure how I’d have coped if they’d been younger. Just imagining a toddler rampaging through the house while on a Teams call brings me close to hitting Ctrl/Alt/Delete. We all remember that poor BBC reporter whose toddler crashed a live Zoom broadcast!
The pandemic did have some positive outcomes. It forced us to adopt new ways of working, and many of my friends and colleagues found that working from home improved their family lives by cutting out commutes. As we returned to “normal,” we each held onto the best parts of isolation, figuring out how to keep the benefits of that time while balancing our home and work lives.
Staying True to Your Needs: The Power of Honest, Flexible Career Planning
In the years when my kids were young, working part-time was my lifeline. It allowed me some headspace, even if I spent most of it on chores or life admin. I know some managers think of part-timers as “extra mouths to feed,” but what they may lack in hours, they make up in focus. Over the years, I’ve also come to see that career pauses or slower periods aren’t setbacks. There were days I left my daughter crying at school or missed plays I couldn’t get away for, and the guilt as a working mum is powerful. But I’ve learned to accept that feeling and let it go.
At one point, while doing my PGCE and working full-time, I applied for teaching jobs with clear requirements to make it work. I was direct about my needs and ultimately secured a part-time role. It was an empowering moment—one where I decided to be open and honest about balancing work with family.
Running Your Own Race: Finding Personal Empowerment Through Balance
These days, making time for myself is essential, even if it’s just reading, gardening, or lunch with a friend. It’s not exactly “rock and roll,” but it’s precious. With two teens at home (one away at Uni), three dogs, two ponies, a coaching business, and a husband running the family farm, our life is a well-oiled machine, with each week meticulously mapped out. This planning helps me keep a handle on things, though I’ve also learned to adapt when the inevitable changes arise.
There’s a lot of talk now about “being present,” and the past few years have taught me to do just that. When I’m home, I’m truly there; when I’m at work, I’m fully engaged. I’ve long since abandoned the need for perfection. “Good enough” really is good enough, and I’m much kinder to myself these days. A former boss once told me, “You can only do what you can do,” and that simple truth has guided me ever since. I’m committed to running my own race, unapologetically prioritising my family and personal life. This balance allows me to bring my best self to work, every day.
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