If I don't stop and give myself the time I need, give myself breaks and honor my needs, nobody else is going to do it for me.
Current Occupation:
Online educator for Fair Play, coach and community advocate
# of Children and their Ages:
3 year old and 6 year old
What do you love about being a working mom?
I love that I get to do something I love while also modeling for my children that they can make choices that feel good for them. My hours are flexible and I work for myself, so I'm able to pursue opportunities that feel right for me. Of course, that also comes with a lot of responsibility, but my kids get to see me making confident choices and pursuing my passions.
What is the biggest challenge of being a working mom?
Finding balance. I strongly believe we weren't meant to live and work this way!
The 40-60 hour work week that many folks are working and then all of the domestic labor required at home is just too much!
Trying to manage the busy days where my husband and I are both working overtime and juggling childcare (especially during the pandemic!!!!!) can be such a challenge. By the end of the day, my skin is crawling from overstimulation!
If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change about working mom life?
I would have more help with the day-to-day tasks of parenting and domestic labor!
Sometimes I hit a flow state with my work and then my kids will need me or I'll have to run out the door for daycare pickup. The daily grind can be so tiring because so many things need to be done on a specific schedule or done multiple times a day or week. I'll get a great idea in the middle of dinner and scramble to write it down before someone screams for me! I need to take a call and then suddenly I'm helping a kid use the bathroom.
The interruptions are a real challenge and I wish my husband and I had more hands on deck!
What tips do you have for other working moms?
Do what you need to do to survive!
For an entire school year (I used to be a classroom teacher), I budgeted for a daily iced dirty chai oat milk latte and took my entire lunch hour to go on a walk. I prioritized my wellness and recognized that the work would never fully be finished.
If I don't stop and give myself the time I need, give myself breaks and honor my needs, nobody else is going to do it for me.
Find moments of joy, prioritize time to be someone outside of parenthood and professional duties.
Just be you!
Any relationship tips for working moms?
You know I'm a Fair Play advocate!
You do NOT need to do it all. You do NOT need to be the director at home.
The Fair Play method gives a framework to divide the mental load and communicate around household duties. It can be really challenging to manage a household and a career. It shouldn't be harder for one partner than the other.
That's not fair!
What's the best piece of advice your own mother gave you?
She taught me to not be afraid to speak up! She made me very justice-minded and I love that part of myself!
What stresses you out?
Childcare interruptions.
Period.
That's it!
How do you mother yourself?
A lot of my work on Tiktok is about giving myself the knowledge I wish I had. I give myself permission to set boundaries and then I coach myself through the negative self-talk and self-doubt.
Most of what I say on my social media pages are really things I need to hear!
How and why do you take CBD?
It's usually when I am nearing a doom-spiral. I have a super-power of hyper focusing and diving head-first into projects but when it's not focused on anything in particular, it turns into anxiety.
I've been taking Moment mints when I feel myself nearing these spirals and it's a good interruption! The mint flavor helps me breathe deeply because I can really feel it and taste it.
Please use LAURA20 at checkout for 20% off your order of Moment CBD mints made for incredible women like Laura who are committed to helping busy working moms find balance and equality at home.
