The Working Mom Dilemma: To talk or not talk about kids at work
Mothers are seen as less competent and committed at work, making authenticity, impact, and pay equity difficult.
If I had never told anyone I was a mother, would my career be different?
I’ve spent 15 years in tech, half before and half after motherhood. My performance reviews are a lesson in whiplash — too cold, too warm, too direct, too sensitive. No reviewer has been quite sure how to examine a leader, woman, and mother without the influence of societal standards.
It’s the tightrope experience. Women and mothers are expected to play a certain role in society; if we deviate, it shocks the system. A mother in corporate America is like a bull in a china shop. Even more shocking is when our nurturing souls end up in leadership.
Since motherhood, there have been two main themes — 1) talking about your children makes you look weak, and 2) please talk about being a working mom to make us look inclusive.
So, let’s dig in.
The first rule of motherhood is don’t talk about motherhood.
I listen to life stories from individuals during meet-ups and lunch hours. They revolve around important aspects of their life𑁋hobbies, pets, and families. Regardless of my…
