Working-Mom Series Week 5: Erin

{You can read the Intro to the Working-Mom Series here}

Erin graduated from BYU with a degree in Business. After graduating, she worked for Adobe as a web analytics consultant and currently works full time as an independent consultant. 

She is married with 2 sweet daughters.

Erin:

Tell us about how you approached the decision to work after having a baby?

I always knew that I wanted to be a mother who was either stay-at-home or more involved than what a regular full time position could give me.  At the same time, I always had a personal drive to have a successful career.  It was a subject that I thought over in my head many times during my college years and early married years.  During an undergraduate business course, Dean Ned Hill of the business school came and spoke with his wife, Claralyn.  She had just returned to work as a lawyer.  She said something that stuck with me.  “Women are living longer than ever before.  Quit worrying about one way or the other.  There is a time and season for everything.  You can do it all, just not at the same time.  If you have the choice, choose where and when to give your 100%.”  I realized that day that I didn’t need to stress about how to handle my future.  I started a consulting career at Omniture (turned Adobe) and was pregnant 3 years later.  I once again started to stress about my decision.  Randomly, one of my clients told me that you can’t really know what to do with your career until after you’ve had the baby.  I relaxed again and realized she was right.  As soon as I had my first child, I knew I wanted to be home with her.  A busy consulting job was definitely not for me as a new mother.  I confidently left my work to be at home with my baby.  For me, it was the right decision.  The day after I left, I was given a nice offer from an outside agency to work 10 hours a week at home.  This was the perfect way for me to stay in the tech industry and to make a little extra income for my family but also to be at home where I wanted to be.  I consider myself very lucky to find this perfect fit for me.

Why was it important for you to work after having a baby?

I am in the digital marketing industry, specifically in analytics.  It is one of the fastest moving industries out there.  I knew that if I left the space, it would be very hard to get back in.  Working part-time from home was ideal since my husband’s job was very busy but also payed the bills so I could work in this situation.  Working from home also helped me with my personal independence.  I realize other women can find this independence elsewhere but for me, having my skillset on the side was rewarding and oftentimes a good break at night when my daughter went to bed.  I also knew that with my husband in finance, I always wanted to be ready in case his career had any hiccups.  I enjoy the feeling of knowing that I can take care of my family if necessary, which happened last year for our family.  The experience has been very empowering for me and I feel strong knowing I can be the breadwinner.

What has been the easiest part of keeping up with the demands of work and family?

There is an easy part?  I’m not quite sure I know an easy part. If you are going to make the choice to work from home, you need to realize it’s going to be hard. Worth it?  Possibly. Easy. Never. I guess I could say that working from home has allowed me to still see my kids. This part also has it’s cons but I’m grateful for that part of my situation.

What has been the hardest part of keeping up with the demands of work and family?

If I’m completely honest with myself, the hardest part is not the lack of sleep or unorganized house.  The hardest part for me is the guilt I feel that I can’t be there with my children.  Sometimes my 4-year old will wait at the top of the stairs in the evening for me to be done.  Sometimes I hear my 1-year old screaming in her crib when she doesn’t want to take a nap.  My motherly instincts are telling me to go pick them up and play with them.  I realize that all women handle this guilt differently.  For me, I just keep reminding myself that they are well taken care of and loved by me and my husband.   In addition, I want my daughters to be strong independent women and to make good decisions with their family first in their minds.  I know that I’m a living example of an independent woman and they will always have an example to look to when they grow up.  

What are your current childcare arrangements, what will they be once you start working, and how do you feel about them?

When I was working part-time from home, I had no childcare arrangements other than a neighbor who would watch my daughter on a conference call here and there.  I mostly timed my calls as close as possible to naps or times when she would play quietly for a few minutes.  I also became an advanced mute-button user!  After my husband left his company last June, he took some time off and watched the kids while I worked.  I’m in process of hiring a twice-a-week nanny so my husband can get back in the workforce.  I am very lucky that we’ve been able to take care of our kids within our own walls.

If you had to pick one trick or tip that helps you make it all work, what would it be?

Always know that your career is flexible.  Sometimes, decisions seem life-or-death but in most cases, change can happen.  Don’t be afraid to switch it up if you need to for your family or even for yourself.

Big thanks to Erin!