How do you find the balance between your career and motherhood?
I think working in tech gives me the privilege of flexible working, which is much needed. Most employers I’ve worked with so far have offered some degree of understanding and flexibility around my personal circumstances, and understood that sometimes personal life also happens during the 9-5.
Career and motherhood can only go hand in hand, they are not mutually exclusive, and I could not be in a role or company which doesn’t get that. I’ve learned to accept that some days, my job may require a higher percentage of my energy, so I have less to give to my daughter in the evening. Other days can be easier at work, and I engage and interact with her perhaps differently.
As a single parent, I’ve learned to offer myself some compassion, and realise that whatever my day looks like, I do always try to give my best to both parts of my life – but sometimes my best can mean more or less on different days. And that’s ok. We’re not superhuman, we’re not here to burn out, we’re here to try to enjoy life as much as we can in all aspects. And if I put too much pressure on myself to always give 100% of myself to each aspect of my life, I could burn out quickly. I’ve accepted that some days at work I get through my tasklist quicker, or that sometimes in the evening, a 5-minute dinner prep is all I can do. At the end of the day, the business won’t fail due to a task left for the next day (or sorted out after bedtime), and my daughter will be fine with one occasional quick dinner, if she usually has very healthy and nutritious meals.
What has been your greatest challenge as a working mother in tech?
“In tech” can mean many things, and since having my daughter four years ago, I’ve worked in three start-ups and one mid-size business which had been established a long time ago. It was only when working in the start-ups where I felt more under pressure and sometimes had that affect my energy or mood at home (albeit fairly briefly, as I became aware of it, and tried my best to not let it happen for long, or ever again). The start-up environment is, of course, notorious for being fast-paced and with more pressure. So, naturally, being a part of that as a mother and single parent, has not been a walk in the park. I’d love to see if one day I can find the balance between finding a purpose-driven start-up and not feeling like I’m penalised on my time and energy at home because of where I work.