Balancing the ‘Seesaw’ of Work and Home Life as a Mom and Manager and Focusing on the Positives

LaShelle is the manager of Quality Management Systems at Cirrus Logic. While she’s been in the role for six years, LaShelle notes that her role and responsibilities have continuously evolved and expanded. Currently, she also manages Product Compliance and is a core member of the team driving Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) activities for the company.

As the mother to two school-aged boys, LaShelle notes that balance is the key to managing both work and home life. “Balance is hopefully being happy at the end of the night knowing that I was the best mom and best employee that I could be,” she said. “It’s easy to feel guilty at the end of the day — feeling like I neglected something. So I try to stop those thoughts once they get started and just focus on the positives in my day and get ready for the next.”

Here, LaShelle gives us more insight into her personal and professional life and how she gives herself the freedom to make both a priority.

What’s one misconception you think exists around work-life balance today?

The biggest misconception is that it is truly possible to balance work and life. I think of it more as a seesaw — sometimes you’ll be more focused on your home life and sometimes you’ll be more focused on your work life. The key is to give yourself grace if you don’t get it right all the time.  

Let’s talk about your company’s culture. What’s your favorite aspect of it, and how does your employer aid you in achieving balance?

Cirrus Logic’s corporate culture is employee- and family-positive. My company provides ample opportunities for growth, supports flexibility within our job roles, and allows us to create balance between our lives at work and at home. There are a lot of company-sponsored family-friendly events which drive home the fact that my company cares about me and my family. In addition, there are a lot of great family friendly benefits offered by Cirrus Logic — from tutoring for my school-aged children to backup care if my children are sick. 

What kinds of boundaries have you established to separate work and family time?

The boundaries became a little blurred during the pandemic, but I try to leave work at work and focus on my family when I’m home (or logged off). I also try to keep my weekends completely work-free so I can just focus on my family. 

How did you prepare for maternity leave and what advice can you offer to other moms who are expecting their first child?

I am definitely a planner. So having everything organized and ready to go beforehand helped me with preparing for maternity leave. But, on the other side, my key advice would be to be flexible. All the plans in the world can go awry when there are children involved. 

What are you especially good at as a mom? What about at work?

Hopefully I’m good at a lot of things as a mom, but the most important thing is that I love and support my boys. I tend to their emotional and physical needs and we have fun! At work, I am very organized and efficient. I like to get things done so I’m very good at checking things off my to do list. 

What’s your #1 tip for new moms who are navigating the delicate balance of working and mothering?

Be forgiving of yourself. There is no right or wrong in terms of balancing work and motherhood. Just do the best you can.

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