Have you ever asked yourself: What kind of mom do I want to be? A Working Mom or Stay-at-Home Mom? It’s the kind of question that often burdens us as we go through different phases with our family. Whether you are holding an infant or driving one too many kids in your carpool, it’s a choice we make, yet a decision that may not be forever.
When I started working in 1994, the answer to that question was clear. I knew the finish line to my corporate career would be when I had my first child. As a result, I raced to gather career trophies and save as much money as I could, so when I looked back, I would be proud of what I accomplished. Ironically, during that focused sprint, I fell in love with my career, the people I worked with, and the challenges that Corporate America presented to me. For the first time, I really debated the question: What kind of mom do I want to be? It seemed there were only two choices: A Working Mom or Stay-at-Home Mom.
It was my husband who encouraged me to continue working. He knew my career was fulfilling and that I wanted to accomplish more. We promised each other that as long as it worked for our family and I enjoyed it, I would wear the Working Mom hat. I proudly wore that hat for 13 years. When I finally decided to leave my executive position, I was like a kid anxiously waiting in line to ride her first roller coaster. I didn't know what to expect.
I discovered there is joy and sacrifice in both roles. Neither seemed to be a perfect match for me. I’ve witnessed leadership, bravery, loyalty, kindness, joy, and countless more descriptions of strength in all moms. It was at this point, I realized the trap I had created by dividing mothers into 2 categories. When I eliminated that endless debate. I could see clearly.
Mothers cannot be defined into a generic category. We are many things. We are the colors that light the world. Together, we are a beautiful rainbow.
Executive Mom Nest Founder, Marcy Stoudt is passionate about developing leaders, bringing teams together, and creating a work environment where people thrive. For the past 25 years, she has worked with hundreds of women and executives and has coached, taught, and inspired results through confidence and balance.