Wearing Many Hats
If there’s one truth I’ve learned in life, it’s that balance is not a fixed destination—it’s an ongoing process. As a chemical engineer, former research assistant, project manager, and now a self-employed professional, I’ve navigated many work environments. But nothing compares to the lessons I’ve learned while raising my children alongside my career.
Being both a mother and a working professional is a beautiful, messy juggling act. Some days feel productive and peaceful; others feel like a chaotic race against the clock. Yet through it all, I’ve found that my background in engineering has given me unexpected tools to manage this season of life. Time management, systems thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability—these skills have helped me find not just balance, but grace in the day-to-day.
Engineering Taught Me to Prioritize
In engineering, every project has limits—time, budget, resources. Success comes from knowing how to prioritize the most important tasks and manage trade-offs. As a mother, I face similar challenges daily. There’s always more to do than time allows, so I’ve learned to ask: What really matters today?
Some days, that’s preparing a work proposal. Other days, it’s spending time with my kids baking or helping with homework. I’ve stopped chasing the illusion that I can do it all at once. Instead, I focus on doing what’s most meaningful, moment by moment.
Engineering taught me that not everything needs to be perfect—sometimes “good enough” is exactly right, especially when it means preserving peace and presence at home.
Structure Helps, Flexibility Saves
As a project manager in healthcare, I worked with tight timelines and unexpected challenges. I loved the structure, but I also knew the value of flexibility—because life rarely goes exactly as planned.
Motherhood mirrors this perfectly. I thrive with routines: morning checklists, scheduled work blocks, and meal planning. But kids have a way of reminding you that life doesn’t always follow a plan. A surprise illness, a school event, or a tough day can shift everything.
Flexibility, I’ve learned, is not a failure of the plan—it’s a strength. It means I can adapt without falling apart. I can move things around, ask for help, and still move forward. That mindset—structured but flexible—has been key to balancing work and motherhood without burning out.
Finding Joy in Small Wins
In the engineering world, progress often happens in small steps—refining a design, testing a solution, troubleshooting a problem. I apply the same mindset at home. Every small win counts.
Maybe I didn’t finish everything on my to-do list, but I had a meaningful conversation with my child. Maybe I didn’t bake something from scratch, but we had dinner together. These moments are the true “deliverables” of motherhood.
By focusing on small victories, I stay motivated and grateful. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when the demands of work and home collide. But celebrating progress, no matter how small, helps me keep going with a positive mindset.
The Guilt Trap—and How I Escape It
Like many mothers, I’ve wrestled with guilt. Am I doing enough for my kids? Am I investing enough in my career? The tug-of-war between these roles can feel endless.
What’s helped me is shifting from guilt to grace. I remind myself that my children don’t need perfection—they need love, presence, and stability. And by pursuing work I care about, I’m modeling passion, resilience, and purpose.
I’ve also learned to set boundaries. I don’t check emails during family time. I give myself permission to rest. And I remind myself that being a good mother includes caring for my own well-being. That’s not selfish—it’s wise.
Community Matters
No one does this alone. Over the years, I’ve learned to lean on a support system—family, friends, and fellow mothers. Whether it’s carpool help, work advice, or just someone to listen, community has made all the difference.
In engineering, collaboration is essential. The same is true in motherhood. We need each other’s ideas, encouragement, and understanding. I’ve found that sharing my struggles and learning from others has made me stronger and more grounded.
Lessons for My Children
One of my hopes is that my children see not just what I do, but how I do it. I want them to see a mother who works hard, loves deeply, and keeps growing. I want them to know that they can pursue their dreams while honoring their values.
I also want them to understand that success isn’t just about titles or achievements—it’s about living with integrity, kindness, and balance. By being open about both the joys and the challenges of my journey, I hope to give them the courage to walk their own path, whatever it may be.
Final Thoughts
Balancing motherhood and career is not easy, but it’s meaningful. It’s taught me to manage time, honor priorities, and extend grace to myself and others. My engineering background didn’t just prepare me for work—it helped me approach life with clarity, creativity, and calm.
In the end, it’s not about being perfect in every role—it’s about being present. It’s about showing up, doing your best, and embracing the beautiful, imperfect rhythm of each day.
And in that balance, I’ve found not just survival—but fulfillment.