Welcome to our Working Moms Roundtable! Collin County Moms Blog recruited a great mix of mothers who work full-time, part-time, or from home, and asked bunch of questions on their thoughts and feelings about the mythical phrase we all love to hate and hate to love, “Work-Life Balance.” Each post will focus on a specific theme related to balance at home, at work, with our partners, with our kids, and with our coworkers. We hope you’ll enjoy and maybe even grab some tips or encouragement for yourself! See the first post here and the second post here.

How did your own mother shape your perspective as a working mom?

My mom has always worked full time, which meant I was in daycare or after-school care. She did an amazing job (which I can only appreciate now) balancing it all, and providing me with everything I could have ever wanted. She is also the breadwinner of our family, so it has always been extremely motivating to me to see how hard work can pay off. On the other side, I’ve always known I wanted to stay home with my kids. Those years before school go by SO quickly and I am so grateful I’ve been able to be home with my girls during that time. –Jennifer M., Events Planner

She was a stay-at-home mom my entire young childhood. I always imagined I would get to do the same. I realized when I got out of law school that it would never be an option for me. My student loans would always prevent me from doing that. It’s been a hard realization to come to, but I’m slowly getting used to my new “normal.” -Hannah, Attorney

Growing up, my mom was the director at the local recycling center, plus she cleaned, cooked, went to my events, scheduled everything, etc. Our house was always immaculate — no housecleaner, no lawn service. Granted, it wasn’t a one-woman show since my dad helped as well, but it wasn’t until I became a mom that I realized just how difficult it is to juggle all those tasks, even with a partner. I like to keep a sense of humor about my non-supermom status. –Victoria, UX Designer

I grew up seeing my parents work together as a team, and my mom was not only working, being successful at that, but also very invested in family life, both of which I aspire to do and be. –Madeline L., Admin Assistant/Enrollment & Development Coordinator

I want my sons to know that work can be something enjoyable and fortunately, we get to use sports as a reference. I think back and appreciate my parents so much more. Both of my parents came from Mexico shortly after their wedding. They took every odd job they could find in Chicago. We always understood the value of hard work and that nothing in life is handed to you. I hope my children have that same mentality. I never want them to feel less important than our careers but always inspired by working hard. I want them to know you have to pay your dues and that nothing is handed to you. –Claudia, Business & Tickets Operations Coordinator

My mother was a teacher. She was kind and very involved in our lives. I loved that we had her home for the summer and after school. I was always proud of having her as a working mom. She would let me help her in her classroom and I knew all her co-workers and principal. I also [knew] education was important in our family and my parents expected us to use that education…after all, it costs A LOT! –Michelle Y., Accounting Associate

My mother was a SAHM mom; she used to work on and off, but got ill and became a SAHM. She was really dependent on my dad and I felt sometimes she was trapped in a crappy marriage. I wanted the freedom to leave when I wanted to and be able to support myself. –G.S., IT

My mother worked hard all my childhood and still works hard. She and my father were first-generation immigrants, so when they came to the States, they quickly had to find jobs to support us, and the best they could find at the time were long hours, hard-labor-working jobs. But similarly, like what I try to model, they were always present when they were around. They worked long shifts but alternated schedules so that one parent could be with us at all times. Despite how much my mother worked, she made sure we were well fed and that our home was well kept; [this was] something she instilled in us at an early age. –Sidu, Teacher

The biggest driving force for me to work was what I saw as a kid, and I decided I never wanted to rely on someone else; I never wanted my children to worry about finances or assume that they would have to go without. I very much appreciate everything my mom sacrificed and accomplished, but that childhood lesson lingered: I have always felt a deep urge to earn my own income and to continually strive for more at work. It’s only recently that I’ve realized that not everything is in my control and sometimes I do have to rely on others! –Whitney, Managing Editor

She worked when I was very young and then became a stay-at-home mom. I realized when I was older that she missed her professional life but never went back. I think that’s how I know now that it is important to try and balance my professional goals with motherhood. They are not mutually exclusive. –Eliza, Director of Operations

While my mother worked, she hated her job and only did it to provide insurance and other benefits for our family. She was an example of putting others before her own interests, but unfortunately, it made her very unhappy that she was unable to pursue something that she would have enjoyed. It showed me that I really needed to find a path that would fulfill me and benefit my family. –Jennifer C., Managing Partner

My mom didn’t work, as it was looked down upon [from] a larger section of the family. She joined the workforce later in her life, when I “forced” her to. She still works, and loves to work. She regrets not working for a long part of her life, and not standing up for herself. I would like to be a positive role model to my children, and make them believe that a woman is a multitasker, and can be successful at work and home. –Dhivya, Operations Lead