Motherhood vs Career? This Life Coach's Journey Shows You Don’t Always Have to Choose

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For many women, motherhood brings not just happiness, but also a quiet conflict between career ambitions and family responsibilities. In today's fast-moving world, women are often expected to manage both perfectly, building successful careers while also being fully present at home. But the reality is far more overwhelming. Many mothers struggle with guilt, exhaustion, and the fear that taking a career break may slow down their professional growth. Yet, for some women, that pause becomes not an end, but a chance to realign their priorities, rediscover themselves, and grow in a different way.

We spoke to Sangeeta Sharma, Certified Life Coach, Hypnotherapist and Author, who shared her personal journey of balancing motherhood and career while redefining success on her own terms.

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Choosing Motherhood Without Letting Go of Career Goals

"When my elder daughter was born, I took a break from my IT career because balancing both worlds had become extremely difficult. The guilt of leaving my little daughter in a day boarding weighed heavily on me," said Sharma.

However, it was never a complete pause. While caring for her, she started teaching computer courses from home. Later, when she was blessed with her second daughter, she continued working from home. Once both her daughters started school, she joined their school as a computer teacher so she could stay close to them while still honouring her professional identity.

Using the "Slower Phase" to Upgrade and Grow

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"During those school years, I also focused on upgrading myself professionally. The school job gave me the flexibility and time to pursue higher studies and certifications," said Sharma.

"I completed my Master's degree and earned professional IT certifications. Although I worked at the school for nearly a decade, my determination to grow professionally never faded," added Sharma.

As her daughters moved to senior classes, she transitioned from being a school teacher to working as a corporate trainer with Infosys, and later stepped into an Oracle DBA role in another company.

"Over the years, I shifted roles, wore many hats, and continuously tried to balance both worlds while giving my daughters the best I could," said Sharma.

The Hidden Struggles Working Mothers Commonly Face

"Through my journey, I realised that these struggles were not mine alone. Many women around me were fighting similar battles," highlighted Sharma.

In corporate settings, male employees were often given preference. During appraisals, many of my female colleagues felt that their hard work and dedication were overlooked. Despite relentless efforts, they often felt undervalued and disheartened.

Why a Career Break Should Not Be Seen as Failure

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While workplace bias and career gaps still exist, women can choose to rise above these challenges by continuously upgrading their skills, staying flexible, and finding innovative ways to work.

Sometimes, the answer lies not in choosing between motherhood and career, but in redesigning a career that blends into both personal and professional life.
There may be returnship programs and supportive workplace policies today, but the bigger need is a mindset shift - one that values caregiving as a form of leadership rather than a limitation.

Bottomline

"Making motherhood a priority does not have to mean sacrificing ambition. In many cases, it can become a phase of reinvention, resilience, and long-term growth. I did not pause my career. I realigned it with motherhood," concluded Sharma.