I think often times we are much harder on ourselves than we ever would be on our friends or family. Those inner thoughts matter!
Name:
Kelly Olmstead
Occupation:
Most recently Chief Marketing Officer, Hanna Andersson
# of Children:
2, twins age 10
What do you love about being a working mom?
I love being able to show my daughters and other women I work with the impact that women can have in the workplace while still being a present, loving and caring mother. I think it’s important for them to also see how their dad supports me, them and the household by sharing parenting responsibilities so we can both achieve our professional goals.
What is the biggest challenge of being a working mom?
A big challenge for me has been leaving work at work. Stresses or issues from the day, future meetings, presentations or never ending emails can very easily creep into mornings or evenings at home.
Actually being present and focused on one task (or person!) at a time is so important to being successful at work and at home.
What tips do you have for other working moms?
- Make sure to find time for yourself. Often times we are so busy taking care of work issues, home life, that we come last on the list. It’s important that we invest in ourselves the way we do everyone else.
- Learn how to say no without feeling guilty. It’s important to create boundaries and ensure you are putting your time behind the things that matter most to you (again, not just at home but also in where you focus your time at work!). And we should not feel guilt by being honest about what we will or wont take on. Something I heard that I love:
If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no.
Any relationship tips for working moms?
Communicate with your partner and your kids. As part of the family, it’s like you are part of a team, it’s great to share what you need from your kids/partner to be successful but also to make space for them to share if their needs are being met. It’s such a great way to model communication in a relationship, being able to ask for help/support when you need it and helps them to understand how they can contribute to a family.
What's the best piece of advice your own mother gave you?
As tough as I remember my mom being when we were little, she has reminded me in motherhood to take it easy on myself.
She knows I can be very hard and critical of things and she reminds me to laugh and enjoy the ride.
What stresses you out?
I find not having the house in order is very stressful for me - maybe it’s because it’s something that I know I can control, or that I know if things are in place and we are prepped leading into a day or a week that we will have less stress over all…But I have come to learn that taking some time on a Sunday or in the evening before bed to make sure things are ready for the day or week ahead really helps me to head into the day with less stress.
How do you mother yourself?
I make working out every day a priority. The same way that I wouldn’t cancel a meeting at work, or not show up to pick up my kids, I try as much as I can to protect my time in the morning or mid-day for a workout.
I’ve also been working on my inner voice, and trying to talk to myself the way I would a friend.
I think often times we are much harder on ourselves than we ever would be on our friends or family. One thing that has really changed the way I talk to myself is to consider how I want my girls to talk to themselves. If it’s not something I would say to them, I try not to say it to myself. Those inner thoughts matter!
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