Happy bday to your son! You said it soo well. I'm passionate about what I do and my career AND family are important to me. As a 29-year-old new (hormonal) mom, I legitimately lashed out at a woman (friend of a friend) who asked me, "who will raise your children while you're at work?" Now as a 37-year-old mom of 7 and 5 year old girls, I am SO happy I continued to grow my career. When your kids see you work and work HARD, you are teaching them so much about dedication, determination and LIFE! Keep with your passion, Mama!

First off, let me congratulate on both your mama and working skills. As well as Happy 3rd Birthday to your son. I have two kids of my own now, one that is 13 and the other just turned 10 and as much as I also reminisce on their baby-hood, I'm glad that I have been there to help them reach their milestones. I have been a stay at home mom as well as a homeschool mom for the past few years and have not entered the workforce because I feel that my children's education and values are more important to install at such a critical stage. I too have been told that I need to go to work blah blah blah,, but no one walks in your shoes and how you are putting every self-less act to raise a family. Raising a family is work itself, the rewards are in payed form by watching your family grow. A mom knows when they are ready to go back to the work field, without needing any pressure from the outside world. Once my kids have had their educational foundation, I will be going back to college for a career. Until then, you keep rocking your mom and career skills as you know how. Never doubt yourself or place any guilt for how you are raising your family. You keep passionate about your family and your career. I give your props for handling both. Enjoy your son's birthday, because they are only little for a while.

Yes yes yes yes! Go Mama and happy birthday to your boy! It is such a shame that so many people aren't supportive to working Moms. The transition back is so hard and there is enough emotional baggage. The questioning of your decisions is so unsupportive. I've had my share of family and friends making passive aggressive comments and questions like this. Thanks for pointing this out and I hope other Moms, especially new ones see this and know that you don't have to keep space in your head listening to unsupportive people. It's hard enough and with hormones raging, it's often a confusing time and easy to start doubting yourself. Know others have been there and ultimately, the choices you make for your family are the best choices. Happy Birthday little man!

Happy birthday! I have a son turning one in March and I just started a new job after being out of work for a little while. I too love what I do and I love my family and I am making both possible in my own way and am glad there's a community of women here who understand what it means to have both if that's what they choose.

Happy Birthday to your son! Yes, it is all worth it. As women we are a capable of doing many things, but we don't have to do it all. And we learn, sometimes the hard way, when to let go. I have learned that lesson as a Mom for sure! But have fun reflecting and celebrating your son, it is true that they grow up fast!

My youngest also turned 3 recently. Happy birthday to yours! I obviously know there are sacrifices to be made as a working parent and the amount of sacrifice fall very unevenly in our world based on a number of things (including luck, what kind of job/child/spouse/support system you have and other very large social structural issues) so this has always been a hard topic for me (i.e. sometimes the question is phrased as "can you have it all?) I think this "she-cession" has caused a lot of women to lose jobs. In some cases, this is because they have decided they must leave the workforce because the constraints of family/caretaking and their jobs just don't work in the age of homeschooling / pandemic realities. Over time, all of these things has caused me to believe that it's a more complex question of whether you can "have both" or "have it all." But thank you for sharing. This article is also on a similar topic: https://www.thecut.com/2021/02/hanna-rosin-end-of-the-end-of-men.html#_ga=2.225831450.1884547422.1612277945-177692661.1612277944

100% agree! In many cases (I know mine!), I am a better mother because I work full time. Knowing that I am providing for my family as well as making a difference with my work, makes me happy to wake up every morning. I support both SAH Moms as well as working mothers, I have been both! Being a SAHM is rewarding and a true challenge. It is one of the hardest jobs there is. Being a working Mom is incredibly rewarding, not only financially but also mentally. Having a career to grow and develop is what some mothers require to be considered whole and is a part of their identity. I am one of those Moms. I am proud of what I have built, both in my home life as well as my work life. To each their own! I support you in your endeavor to grow your career.