Motherhood is a demanding yet rewarding job that comes with its fair share of challenges. From juggling work and family to trying to maintain a sense of balance, every mother's experience is unique. We spoke to seven working mothers at Acumentis about their thoughts on Mother's Day, managing work and family, and their tips for success.
Meet Laura
Your favourite thing about Mother’s Day?: I have one wish for Mother’s Day – no fighting. I live for this day each year.
Life of a working mother – is it doable?: Yes, it is doable, but having the help of a partner sharing the load and a workplace that understands the value of working mums makes it easier.
Your 2 tips to succeed in the world’s most demanding and rewarding job – motherhood?: Choose your battles, trust your instincts.
Meet Amy
Your favourite thing about Mother’s Day?: Sleeping in, breakfast in bed, it being all about me! Who am I kidding! It would have to be receiving all those handmade craft items from preschool.
Life of a working mother – is it doable?: Yes, with lots of support from family and friends.
Your 2 tips to succeed in the world’s most demanding and rewarding job – motherhood?: Lower your expectations (you can never reason with a two year old) and take time for yourself to be the best version of yourself for your family.
Meet Sarah
Your favourite thing about Mother’s Day?: Sitting down as a family and watching my children open my present. They get so much joy out of giving, but equally the same level of joy opening presents for mum.
Life of a working mother – is it doable?: Absolutely it is doable to be a successful working mother, albeit with sacrifices. I feel proud to role model hard work to my children.
Your 2 tips to succeed in the world’s most demanding and rewarding job – motherhood?: Let go of the idea of perfection. As long as you are doing your best, that is the most important thing, and appreciate the small moments.
Meet Sarah
Your favourite thing about Mother’s Day?: My daughters get very excited about Mother’s Day. They love to make me cards and draw me pictures. The joy on my daughters’ little faces when they give me their cards is so beautiful. Their joy is always my favourite thing!
Life of a working mother – is it doable?: I’m fortunate to work a flexible 3-day week allowing me to spend quality time with the girls and attend school events and activities. It can be difficult for full time working mothers, and a supportive network and community are necessary.
Your 2 tips to succeed in the world’s most demanding and rewarding job – motherhood?: Let go of high expectations and judgments, whether they are about yourself, your children, or others. Instead, allow life to take the lead. High expectations often lead to disappointment and unnecessary stress.
Laugh and smile loudly with your babies! Enjoy the little things, like holding their chubby little hands, even if they’re sticky and gross, smelling their hair, even when it’s knotted, and kissing their little cheeks, even if they’re covered in mashed banana.
Meet Hayley
Your favourite thing about Mother’s Day?:It’s a chance to quietly reflect with gratitude on the family we have created, which helps get you through the crazier parenting days. Mother’s Day is also an opportunity to show thanks to our own mothers that continue to offer much support, which often goes unrecognised.
Life of a working mother – is it doable?: It certainly is! For me it’s about finding the balance on what you can handle in both your personal and professional life without dropping the ball too much in either. Finding the right employer that sees your worth and provides you with the flexibility to work hard but be as present a parent as possible, certainly helps.
Your 2 tips to succeed in the world’s most demanding and rewarding job – motherhood?:A happy mum filters through to the whole family. Prioritise your own health, fitness, and friendships in the same way you do for your kids. And give your kids chores so that you can spend quality time with them, not spend all your free time cleaning up after them!
Meet Rachel
Your favourite thing about Mother’s Day?: Spending the day with my family and celebrating the amazing women in my life. I am lucky to be close with my mum, mother in law, grandma and aunties and I love being able to see them all on Mother’s Day!
Life of a working mother – is it doable?: Absolutely! It’s not always pretty and life can get hectic, but it is extremely rewarding to watch your career and family grow. Having the support of other working mums at Acumentis has made my transition back to work much easier.
Your 2 tips to succeed in the world’s most demanding and rewarding job – motherhood?: It takes a village – don’t be shy to ask for help when life seems overwhelming. Enjoy each stage –because you blink, and they have grown up a little bit more.
Meet Annette
Never trust teenagers when they say “Mum put these glasses on – I want to take a photo”… I look like an ant – worlds worst Snap Chat filter.
Your favourite thing about Mother’s Day?: Simply just acknowledging how great it is to be a mother and sharing that with my mother. Also seeing how my children’s kitchen skills have evolved over the years with ‘breakfast in bed’. It’s always great to start the day with a surprise
Life of a working mother – is it doable?: The life of a working parent is hard at times – mother or father. Coming home to my girls reminds me what I am working for and by achieving my goals I am teaching and modelling them to achieve theirs. Have I made mistakes as a working mother… certainly. Have I learnt from those mistakes….definitely. Would I do it all again…without a doubt!
Your 2 tips to succeed in the world’s most demanding and rewarding job – motherhood?: Let your children be children when they are young but teach them responsibility, compassion and resilience so when they are older, they can bounce back from life’s challenges
As we wrap up this Q&A, we want to take a moment to celebrate all the incredible working mothers at Acumentis. It's inspiring to see how these women manage to balance the demands of motherhood with successful careers, and we acknowledge the effort, productivity, and support they provide each other. We also appreciate the supportive environment that Acumentis provides to its team and the flexible working arrangements on offer. As we approach Mother's Day, let's take a moment to recognise and appreciate all the hardworking and dedicated mothers out there (and their supportive networks), you are truly the superheroes of our lives.