by Usha Maharaj
As a working mom I’m sure you’ve felt that pang of guilt when sitting at the office while you leave your children in someone else’s care. As a working mom who needs to work, who feels energized by working, who loves what they do, and who also loves raising their children – working mom’s guilt, is an obstacle.
What example would you like to set for your children?
When I speak to working moms and I ask what the example is that they'd like to set for their children, I want them to really think about it. Do they want to set the example that a woman can only do one thing at a time? Do they want their children to think that women must choose between raising children or building a career - and only when the children have left the nest, a woman may work again? Or, would they rather set the example that women can do and have it all? This working mom’s guilt we feel, cripples us. It takes away focus from what we want to and can achieve. It takes our power away.
Have you given your power away?
Whenever we're feeling guilt or carrying around a lot of guilt, we give our power away. As women and working moms we have to question why we are feeling this guilt. Try to understand where it's coming from. Ask yourself this, if you don't live a life where all your passions are present, can you really be the best mum you could ever be? And the answer will always be a resounding NO! Give yourself more credit as a working mom – because not all of us will be happy without work to balance and challenge us.
Overcome your working mom’s guilt, take back your power!
Understand your greatest drivers for happiness and then make sure you fill your life with all of those drivers. A happy mom, at home and at work, will be a greater gift to her children than an at-home mom yearning to be at work.
I want to leave you with this affirmation:
I am a woman.
I can be a mom.
I can have a career.
And I can have both.
Watch How to overcome your guilt as a working mum | Top Tips - Ep. 5 on YouTube
Usha Maharaj CA (SA) is a Leadership and Women Empowerment Specialist in South Africa who is known for helping women professionals become gladiators of their careers and winners in their lives through her Coaching, Mentoring and Speaking at ushamaharaj.com She is also a Non-Executive Director and founder of “Her Success” Journey - Transformational Work/Life Success Programs for Women. In her corporate climb from Trainee Accountant, Usha experienced the highs and lows of a high performing, male-dominated workplace, where she shattered setbacks, crushed challenges and conquered fears to enjoy a highly successful career. This included qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (SA), a brain-based Coach and becoming a Director in a Big 4 audit firm. Today she is helping career-driven women create their own paths to success.
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