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 focuses 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, the second post here, and the third post here.
If you had to do it all over again, would you choose to work once you had kids? 
No. Being a stay-at-home mom has been the most rewarding and challenging job I’ve ever had, and I wouldn’t trade these years at home with my girls for anything. –Jennifer M., Events Planner
Absolutely. Stay-at-home moms are superheroes, no question — but I need time away to recharge my “mom battery.” I love that Leon’s in daycare socializing with other kids and learning from teachers with a variety of experiences. I think that’ll be even more important as he gets older — some things I can’t teach him by myself!–Victoria, UX Designer
Absolutely. I think it’s one of the ways I kept my sanity. Working provides an outlet and adult interaction a lot of us desperately need. It makes me a better mom; the moments with my son are more precious to me because we spend time away from each other. –Madeline L., Admin Assistant/Enrollment & Development Coordinator
No. I stayed home for the first three years. Being a stay-at-home mom was the hardest job I have ever had. I am glad I was able to stay home with them that long, and I would do it the same if I had to go back. –D., Assistant Director
I do still think there is an important factor in being surrounded by adults and having a different side of your life to satisfy. Some people say, “Well, take the first few years off and then go back to work.” That may work for some, but for me, I fear I [would] lose my confidence and potential if I took a break. What I do wish I could redo is feeling guilty for maternity leave and having to leave at 5pm every day. I am a great employee and work very hard, but I am also a parent and wife. I should not have to sacrifice either and I won’t apologize for balancing to make it work. –Claudia, Business & Tickets Operations Coordinator
Yes, I would have made the choice to go back to work. Financially, I needed to, but also mentally I needed that break. Not gonna lie, I am not a fan of infancy. My daughter has done well socially, academically, and developmentally in school and I am not sure I could have given her all that by myself. –Michelle Y., Accounting Associate
Yes, I would prefer to let my girls know that women rock and are very capable of balancing work and kids. –G.S., IT
Yes, while I wish I could work from home, even if I did, I think I’d find a Mother’s Day Out program or something part-time for the kids to do here and there. I like the balance of working and having my adult time. –Crystal, Paralegal
I would. I stayed at home with my daughter for three years, and while I loved spending time with her, I was bored and depressed. I didn’t feel like myself. I like having a job. I find personal fulfillment in it, and I think that makes me a better, happier person, which makes me a better mom. –Madelaine S., Copywriter & Content Specialist
I would most likely choose to not work. Not that I regret it because it is financially necessary for me to work, but because I know the importance of these early years in shaping an individual’s life. I would have loved to be more involved in the process. But…my daughter is surrounded by a caretaker who has loved her, has modeled the parenting and ways we wish to raise her, so I certainly do not regret being at work right now. –Sidu, Teacher
What about you? Would you choose to work if you could go back and do it all over again?
