Navigating Professional Growth While Raising A Family

If you’re a parent or stepparent, one of the biggest questions you’re often asked is some variation of the following: How do you do it all? Or, How do you balance? While (most of the time) these questions are coming from a good place, there’s often a secret, behind-the-scenes question that’s left unsaid: What do you have to sacrifice along the way?

As someone who’s fiercely passionate about being a good stepmom and also not giving up on her ambitions and goals, I’ve found these types of questions annoying.

How do I do it? Well, like anyone else — you just do!

Navigating professional growth while raising a family isn’t easy, regardless of whether you’re raising your biological kids or stepkids, how long you’ve been a parent, or how old your children are.

But there’s one thing for sure—it’s worth it.

Finding a way to balance and fill all your ‘cups’ is so important. Here are some ways that I do it, and ways I’ve encouraged others to pursue along their own journeys.

Embrace Flexibility In Your Professional Ambitions

One of the most important things to understand about work-life balance and raising a family is that you have to be flexible.

You can’t always be everywhere (and especially all at once) and that means you have to create a give-and-take between what’s important. Even when that’s hard.

If that means saying ‘no’ to your son’s soccer game because you have to prioritize a work meeting, then that’s what has to happen. But the next time your child’s event(s) come around, you choose them over work.

There’s also something to be said for finding work that fits your lifestyle, too. Remote work, flexible hours, part-time gigs—these aren’t just buzzwords; they’re your new potential reality. These types of jobs can allow you to pursue all the goals you have without sacrificing on family time.

Prioritize And Plan

Next up, the art of prioritization and planning. This goes without saying, but having a calendar or organization system is crucial. Navigating professional growth while raising a family is nearly impossible if you don’t have the proper systems in place to keep you on top of events, deadlines, to-dos, and miscellaneous follow-ups.

It’s about setting those non-negotiables—knowing what matters most and making sure it gets a front-row seat in your life.

Leverage Your Support Network

It takes a village—or at least a loyal squad to raise a family. This crew includes everyone from Grandma, who’s a wizard with bedtime stories, to that mentor who always knows how to navigate career confusions.

Don’t be shy; lean on these support people. Remember, passing the proverbial ‘baton’ doesn’t make you weak. After all, you’re running a marathon relay, not a solo sprint.

Invest In Continuous Learning

Learning never stops, so make this a priority for yourself no matter how challenging it feels. Online courses, seminars, podcasts—there’s a whole world of wisdom out there.

And the best part? You can often dive in on your own time, making it easier to fit brain-boosting into your jam-packed life. Show the kids that learning’s a lifelong adventure, not just homework and exams.

Cultivate A Positive Work-Life Synergy

Forget about work-life balance; it’s all about work-life synergy now. Think of it as mixing chocolate with peanut butter—separately great, but together? Magic.

Find ways to let your career and family life complement each other. Maybe your killer organizational skills at work can help streamline the chaos at home. Or perhaps your patience as a parent makes you a better team player in the office. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where professional growth and family happiness meet and do a little victory dance together.

Practice Self-Care

Last but not least, self-care isn’t just a trendy hashtag—it’s essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you certainly can’t juggle work and family if you’re running on empty. So, carve out time for yourself, whether it’s hitting the gym, indulging in a hobby, or just enjoying some quiet time.

This isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. After all, a happy, healthy you is the best gift you can give to both your family and your career.