What If Both Parents Want Ambitious Careers — and to Be Great Parents Too?

Over the years, I’ve heard many successful people say:“ I couldn’t do what I do without my partner staying at home and doing the heavy lifting in raising the children.”

And that’s wonderful, when the setup works for everyone.

But through the lens of being a mother, I know another reality too: many mothers still take on more of the emotional and logistical load. Even though I believe this is changing (and should continue to) it's still very present in many homes and workplaces.

So, what happens when a driven, career-focused woman gets engaged, is expecting, or is returning from maternity leave?

Speaking from personal experience:

• I took off my engagement ring before a final interview, worried it might impact my chances.

• When I wanted to move to a company with greater career progression opportunities, I didn’t mention that I had a 20-month-old and a 6-month-old.

• I’ve kept quiet about having four children in many professional settings, knowing assumptions might be made.

  
  

Would I do anything differently? Probably not. I often ask myself: Would this even be a conversation if I were a man? And are these responsibilities sometimes seen as a badge of honour for men, but a burden for women?

A particularly challenging question many parents wrestle with myself included, is: How do you balance a fulfilling career with being a present and engaged parent?

Most of us find our own version of that balance. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and the shape of that balance often evolves over time.

From my perspective, numerous working mothers and fathers highly appreciate flexibility and remote work options. However, some organizations adopt a uniform approach, which can alienate exceptional talent and clearly indicate whose needs are prioritized.

Here’s the truth: working parents are an asset. When companies set the conditions for them to succeed at both work and parenting, they benefit not just from quality and efficiency but also from loyalty, perspective, and resilience.

One moment that stood out in my career: A CEO/founder I worked for once told me he loved hiring parents of large families - because they had greater responsibilities and were highly motivated to succeed. It was refreshing to hear parenthood viewed as an asset, not a liability.

These experiences inspired my work at Belvedere Coaching, supporting parents through parental leave and the return to work.

The programme helps parents stay connected to both career and parenting identities, with practical coaching that builds clarity and confidence.

With the right support, companies retain top talent — and parents return with purpose.

#TransitionCoaching#HighPerformance#ReturnToWork#WomenInLeadership#InclusiveLeadership