Sally Egerton (Wade)’s Post

Between my work meeting at 11 and my daughter's annual school function, 𝐈 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 and asked my husband and mother-in-law to show up for the event. That's when my guilt trip started. I felt like a bad mom, but my husband reassured me by saying, "𝙀𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬, 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙙𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪." I'm not taking away from the hard work fathers do, but I personally feel that working moms often go through such guilt of not being able to balance personal and professional priorities. Unlike earlier times, fathers these days are very hands-on and try their best to be good parents. Even though we share equal responsibilities as a couple, the mother naturally takes a larger share when it comes to child care and household chores. It's a natural instinct for women and mothers to take the lead in some aspects of life, making it difficult to strike a balance. 𝘐𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 100% 𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬, 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘐𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 100% 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 100%? 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬! 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝟒-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚!💕 #worklifebalance #workingmom #momatwork #momguilt

Are you a working mother who feels tired, frustrated, and overwhelmed? One of my clients felt this way about motherhood—she described her experience as chaotic, her house messy, and she was often in a bad mood. “Motherhood is heavy and not exactly rose-coloured” - she said. As a new mother, I can relate to some of those feelings, and I’m well aware motherhood can feel like a rollercoaster. When exploring her feelings and thoughts together, she realised she had high expectations of herself and, deep inside, doubted her capabilities. She also realised she was paying attention to thoughts of perfectionism, comparing herself with others, and letting all of that bother her. When we ended the conversation, she said: "I often forget I’m a perfectionist - motherhood is perfect as it is." Leaving our session convinced she was doing a great job and knew she could trust herself as a mother and professional. She is using her tools and working on being aware. To enjoy what is great and to manage what is not so great sometimes as a working mother of two. What was the shift? In our conversation, she recognised her efforts, focused on what worked, observed how she talked to herself and changed that inner conversation. In a word, self-compassion. What about you? How do you feel about motherhood most of the time? How do you talk to yourself? And how do you manage the ups and downs? If you’re still reading, first, thank you! :)  Second, you probably also relate. If so, what’s your experience? I want to explore co-creating a space where we can share some of these experiences and tools to navigate challenging moments and support each other. Leave a comment below or send me a DM if you are interested :) I’d love to hear from you. Love, -`♡´- Caro #workingmothers #motherhoodjourney #selfcompassion #personaldevelopment #mindfulparenting #worklifebalance #emotionalwellbeing #mentalhealthawareness #empoweringwomen

Here is a reminder of what I do and why... I work with frazzled mothers in corporate IT to help them break free from the stressful hamster wheel and achieve an inspiring and balanced life. Motherhood is a beautiful experience, but its true charm unfolds only when you have the energy and space to relish it, slow down and be fully present with your family. Otherwise, it can become the most stressful, overwhelming, and draining aspect of life. Pursuing a career in IT can be rewarding and fulfilling, but once again, this holds true only when you've mastered the skills to harmonize work with your personal responsibilities. I believe that every mum should have it all, however, the path is not as straightforward as it may appear; it requires a solid structure, well-defined boundaries, realistic expectations, and a shift in mindset. I'm here to help you attain all of these, enabling you to have the inspiring and balanced life that every working mother in corporate IT deserves. Contact me to have a chat if you want that fulfilling life! #workingmums #Womenleaders #Womenintech #worklifebalance #workingmoms #professionalwomen

𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐡𝐞𝐦: 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 Ever wrapped up a Zoom call while a child tugged at your sleeve? Or mentally planned dinner while reviewing a presentation? Welcome to the working moms' club! It’s a world where deadlines and lost socks hold equal urgency, and Zoom calls come with special guest appearances—like a toddler serenading everyone with their favourite nursery rhyme. Balancing a career and motherhood isn’t about perfection—it’s about embracing the beautiful chaos, laughing at the unexpected, and carving out five precious minutes for coffee-powered self-care. Some days feel like a never-ending sprint, a blur of emails, school assignments, and back-to-back meetings. But every little win—be it sending that email just in time or finding a quiet moment to breathe—reminds us that progress matters more than perfection. Working mothers aren’t just balancing two worlds—they’re redefining success, showing the world that ambition and motherhood can thrive side by side. What’s your funniest ‘working mom’ moment? Let’s share, laugh, and celebrate the strength, humour, and grace it takes to make it all work. #WorkingMothers #CareerAndMotherhood #ResilienceInAction #ProgressOverPerfection #InspiringWomen

Are you on mat leave at the moment or have you recently returned to paid work? Let me guess... 😕 You’re feeling ALL the feels about returning to the workplace after a period of focusing on your baby. 😕 You’re stuck in a tug-of-war between “work you” and “mama you” and worried that neither will fare well. 😕 You're trying to prove that you're still the same person as before but you know you have changed, even if you don't understand it. 😕 You’ve lost some of your spark, the pesky mind gremlins are making you doubt whether you can still do this, and you’re sure everyone will notice that you’re winging it. 😕 You have no idea how you’re going to make the juggle work long-term and feel overwhelmed just thinking about it. 😕 You’re used to doing what you need to do to get the job done, so setting boundaries feels alien to you. 😕 You're as ambitious as ever but not sure how to make space for this side of you within motherhood without the guilt and burnout. If any of this resonates, I see you and want you to know that you are not alone. Re-igniting career mode while you are still trying to figure out mum mode is a big deal. Many women struggle, even the ones who look like they have it all figured out, and you deserve to be supported through it. So if you would like support to reconnect with your professional identity since becoming a mama... To make space for your ambition alongside motherhood in a way that feels right for you... To navigate this period of transition in a way that leaves you feeling clearer on who you are now, equipped and energised for this next chapter of your career... My 3-month coaching programme Create Your Blend could be just what you need. It's for women like you who want to create a life where motherhood, well-being and professional ambition can co-exist. Would you like to find out more? Get in touch and we can set up a no-obligation chat to find out if this is the right support for you. #maternityreturners #maternityleave #returnercoaching #matrescenceintheworkplace

In a society that values strength, the challenges of working motherhood can leave you feeling isolated. Challenges like… 1. Constant worry 2. Decision fatigue 3. Feeling mental and physical exhaustion Women are often unprepared for the numerous challenges they face, with the expectation to handle everything flawlessly. We've neglected the importance of sharing our stories, acknowledging the everyday realities, and establishing a support system. Your journey is unique, but you are not alone. You deserve support and to feel good. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒘𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉? 🔔Follow along to learn the authentic story of motherhood and how we can create support systems together. P.S. A recent client said “I experienced a transformative journey. One of the most significant impacts were the tools and motivation to achieve any and every thing that I know I am capable of doing. I highly recommend Jess and ELIXR to anyone seeking an approach to well-being. Her dedication, knowledge and compassionate approach helped me become healthier, happier and more resilient.” #WorkingMom #Culture #Matrescence #WellBeing #Happiness #Coach

I didn’t expect motherhood to change me. In fact, I was dead set against it. ‘Don’t let your dreams die as soon as you have a child,’ I would always remind myself. So, when I had my first child, I spent most of my time trying to prove otherwise. I became even more ambitious, extremely focused on my goals, overly organized, juggling multiple balls—Must-Be-Psychiatrist. Must-Achieve-Dream. I was ticking most of my boxes, but I was exhausted and internally conflicted. Jealous that my daughter was forming bonds with someone else at crèche. Or that she called for daddy first when she fell and needed help. At work, I felt like I wasn’t spending as much time as I wanted with my daughter, and at home, I felt like I wasn’t giving enough attention to my career. One can only stay on the treadmill for so long. Eventually, I had to stop running so fast and catch my breath. Staring at myself in the mirror, I finally admitted that I was taking on way too much for someone who also wanted to enjoy motherhood. Something had to change. I spent all of 2023 defining what balance means to me and it ended with leaving my job and moving to a different country to have more social support. A place where I know she is always well taken care of, whether with me, her father, her grandparents, or at preschool with her cousin—growing up with our village. And the only regret I have is not doing it sooner. I have even bigger ambitions now 😂. But I’m pursuing them on my own terms. Values and family first, everything else must work around it. Accepting I can’t be everything to everyone and letting go of the judgement. Learning how to delegate as much as possible, instead of doing everything myself. And showing her the fulfillment that comes from having a career I love while raising her. Balance is not a myth; you just have to crush those limiting beliefs of what it should look like. How do you juggle career and family? Share in a comment—let's learn from each other! #workingparent #workingmothers #balancedlife

"Motherhood: the greatest masterpiece of a woman's life, painted with love, patience, and the brushstrokes of endless devotion." Becoming a mother is a monumental life change, filled with joy, love, and new responsibilities. For many women, it also means juggling the demands of motherhood with those of a career. While the idea of balancing work and motherhood might seem daunting, it's entirely possible to embrace both roles with grace and fulfillment. Here are some tips on how to navigate the beautiful journey of motherhood while excelling in your career: ✅ Striving for perfection in both motherhood and your career is unrealistic and bound to lead to disappointment. Instead, set realistic expectations for yourself and accept that some days will be more challenging than others. ✅ Flexibility is key when balancing work and motherhood. Explore flexible work arrangements such as telecommuting, flexible hours, or job sharing if possible. ✅ Above all, be kind to yourself. Remember that you're doing the best you can in a challenging balancing act. Don't compare yourself to others or succumb to feelings of guilt or inadequacy. Be kind, Be Focused, Be organised and love what you do. Would love to hear more from others. Please add your thoughts also. #motherhood #workingmom #MomLife #MotherhoodUnplugged #MomentsWithMom #MomTribe #MotherhoodRocks #MomBoss #MomGoals #SuperMom #MomStrong #MomLifeBalance #MamaBear #MomHustle #MotherhoodMagic #MomLifeBestLife #MomLifeIsTheBestLife #MomLifeHappyLife #MomLifeMatters #MomLifeLove #MotherhoodJourney

A few days ago, I received a reference call from a recruiter. They were asking about a former team member of mine—a person I had a lot of high praise for. I told them she was incredibly hard-working, the kind of person who wouldn’t stop until every detail was perfect. Then came the question: "Do you think she’ll still be as hard-working, given that she recently had a baby?" I paused. Not because I didn’t have an answer, but because it struck me how often this question must be asked about women—and how rarely, if ever, it’s asked about men. No one asked me or doubted my performance when I became a dad. In fact, speaking from my own experience, I’d argue that my productivity didn’t dip after becoming a father. It went up. And not because I was suddenly doing more. It’s just that my focus shifted. My priorities became clearer. What used to feel urgent suddenly didn’t matter, and what truly mattered got my full attention. Parenthood didn’t make me any less of a hard worker. If anything, it made me more efficient. So, my honest reply to the recruiter was: "These people work hard despite, not because." Parenting doesn’t change work ethic. Hope s/he got the message. And that’s something I think we often overlook—parenthood doesn’t define how someone approaches their job. It just redefines what they value, and how they choose to spend their time. #Parenthood #Worklifebalance #Shiftingpriorities #Focused #Values

🌟 To All the Amazing Working Moms Out There 🌟 Today my little one was upset that I wouldn’t make it to the school barbecue tomorrow. I asked her, half-jokingly, if that made me useless. She looked up at me with her big, innocent eyes and exclaimed, “No, Mama! You are a ‘userrrrrrrr’! You’re like a magic fairy that fixes everything with your big wand!” In that moment, my heart melted. She reminded me that even when we miss certain events, our efforts to balance work and family resonate deeply with our children. And in their eyes, you will always be the BEST MOM EVER! 💪 Let’s face it—juggling deadlines, meetings, and family life is no easy feat. It’s easy to spiral into the trap of mom guilt, wondering if we’re doing enough. You’ll have this feeling whether you’re the CEO of a company or just starting your very first job. But here’s the truth: YOU ARE ENOUGH. Every time you show up for your career and your family, you’re instilling resilience and dedication in your children. You’re showing them that it’s okay to pursue passion while cherishing moments with your family. ✨ Don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way. Embrace those little breaks, pursue your ikigai, and allow yourself to breathe. Happy MaMa = Happy Children. Celebrate your achievements, big and small. You are a superhero in your own right, and it’s time we recognize that. #WorkingMoms #MomGuilt #Corporate #CorporateLife #Empowerment #Support #WorkLifeBalance #ThoughtForTheDay