Life in the balance: The mums who do it all

For Mother’s Day, we handed the mic to some of our brilliant colleagues to get a proper, honest peek into life as a working mum. 

A few themes popped up pretty quickly: a fair bit of mum guilt, despite the fact they’re some of the most loving, hilarious, hard-working mums going (we see the evidence daily), the way motherhood completely reshapes what success looks like, and the realisation that asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s essential. 

Meet Jo 

Senior Project Manager and mother of two teenage boys: 15 years old and 18 years old 

What does a typical workday look like for you as a working mum?  

• 7:15am get up, leave
•  the house to catch
•  a train into London, 
• 9am to 5pm work 
• 5pm take the train home 
• 6:45pm get home  
• Get to the shops, buy some dinner. Get home, cook dinner.
• 8pm to 9 pm take the children to sports on some nights 
• 9pm finally get home, sometimes – depends on if I feel like it or not – talk to my husband  
• Afterwards I get work done if needed and head to bed around 11:30

What’s the biggest challenge of your current stage of motherhood?  

Trying to fit it all in and still find some time for just myself. 

What’s one boundary or habit that helps you balance work and family life?  

Whether it’s sports or eating out, I try to have 1 day a week dedicated to my family which is usually Saturdays.  

What’s something you’ve learned from your children?  

The love you have for your children is immeasurable – so is how much you worry about them. 

What’s been the hardest part of balancing your career with motherhood at this stage?   
Knowing that in a few years, the boys will leave home and start their own adventures. Time goes fast. I’m trying to balance work while also spending as much time as possible with my kids. 

What’s been the most rewarding part of building a career while raising kids?  

Teaching my children that although being a mother is the greatest joy (and challenge at the same time), having a career is also fulfilling and that you don’t have to give one up for the other.  

Have your priorities or definition of “success” changed since becoming a mum?  
Yes, before and soon after children, I wanted to have a successful career – I achieved that. 

But as my children grew, I realised that, actually, they were the priority and being at home with them as much as I could became more and more important. 

And with that, being ‘successful’ at work became less important.  

How do you handle days when work and family both need more from you at the same time?  

I remind myself that tomorrow is a new day. I try to keep a positive mindset – and have a glass of wine.  

What advice would you give to another working parent who feels stretched too thin?  
Just remember, you’ll never get it right all the time. And that’s ok.  

If your children are happy, loved and feel secure, you’re doing a great job!  

What do you hope your children learn from watching you build a career?  
That I tried my best and that their happiness was always my priority. I will say, being able to work as well as be a full-time mother is one of my proudest achievements.  
  

Meet Gulcin 

Banking Operations Manager and single mum of a 9-year- old girl 

What does a typical workday look like for you as a working mum?  

It’s generally well organised thanks to hybrid working options and after-school clubs. The flexibility at work makes a big difference, especially when it comes to things like the school run if I am in the office. Our hybrid work policy really helps balance work and family life.   

What’s something you’ve learned from your children?  

She’s teaching me to slow down and appreciate the small moments in life that we often overlook as adults.  

What’s been the most rewarding part of building a career while raising kids?  

The most rewarding part is building my career while showing my daughter that women can pursue their goals and still be there for their family.   

Have your priorities or definition of “success” changed since becoming a mum? How?  

Motherhood changed my perspective on success. Instead of worrying about whether I’m doing enough, I try to focus on whether I’ve done my best, what I could do better next time, without judging or comparing myself to others.  

How do you handle days when work and family both need more from you at the same time?  

I’ve learned not to try to manage everything at once – that often leads to neither work nor family getting the attention they deserve. Instead, I try to make a plan and ask for help when needed. It’s not always as easy as it sounds, but it’s what helps the most. 😊   

 What do you hope your children learn from watching you build a career?  

When I first became a mother, my daughter’s great-granny told me that raising a child is about helping them grow into an independent person. I believe this is only possible when a child grows up without ever doubting that they are loved. If my daughter learns that from me, I’ll consider that the greatest success.  

Meet Leah 

Quality Assurance Officer and mother of an 11-year-old girl 

What does a typical workday look like for you as a working mum?  

Starts early with morning school prep and drop off. Once that’s done, a bit of housework before logging in to start work.  

The day then becomes a balance of meetings and work, whilst keeping an eye on the school’s schedule with pickups and after-school activities.  

Evenings are about spending time together, helping with homework, dinner and preparing for the next day. It’s a busy rhythm, but it shows the balance of building a career whilst being present for the moments that matter the most.  

What’s the biggest challenge of your current stage of motherhood?  

 It’s the quiet guilt that sometimes creeps in, wondering if I’m truly spending enough time creating memories with her and being fully present. Like many Mums I often question whether it’s actually possible to balance everything. I’m learning that while we may not get it perfect, the love, effort and small moments we share every day are what truly matter.  

What’s been the most rewarding part of building a career while raising kids?  

Building a career whilst raising a child can sometimes bring moments of doubt, especially when the guilt of wondering whether the balance is enough sets in. But when I reflect on it, the most rewarding part is knowing that she’s seeing the values behind it all. She’s learning confidence, resilience, and that success is built through hard work and perseverance. Knowing that I’m helping to shape that mindset and strength in her makes the journey incredibly meaningful.  

What’s something you’ve had to let go of (at work or at home) to make balance more sustainable?  

I’ve had to consciously let go of the guilt that comes when feeling like I’m never quite doing or giving enough, whether at home or work and also exercising, who is she when, how and what time? Sometimes it genuinely feels like 24hours just isn’t enough.  

How do you handle days when work and family both need more from you at the same time?  

There are days when this can be a challenge. What helps is having a clear understanding of my priorities and focusing on them in the order that matters most in that moment. I’m also very fortunate that thisbank has provided me with the flexibility I need to manage both. The support has made a huge difference and allows me to juggle work and family life in a way that feels much more manageable.  

What advice would you give to another working parent who feels stretched too thin?  

My advice will be that we are not Bob the builder, we can’t fix it all and we’re not meant to do it all perfectly. There will always be moments when work, family and life demand more that we feel we can give. Focus on what truly matters and let us be kind to ourselves because balance wouldn’t always look perfect.  

 What do you hope your children learn from watching you build a career?  

I hope she learns that with confidence and resilience, it’s possible to build a successful life and that pursuing a career and being a present, loving parent can exist together, even if it’s not always perfect  

Meet Sneha 

BA & Project Manager, mum of six-year-old daughter 

What does a typical workday look like for you?  

My day kicks off at 6:00 AM with a workout and the lunch box hustle. We make sure we eat breakfast together as a family before the workday rush begins. Evenings are usually chaotic with my daughter’s hobby classes, worksheets, and dinner prep. We usually end our day with a book/story or a chat about our day.  

What’s the biggest challenge of your current stage of motherhood?  

Managing the emotional needs of a growing child. On those chaotic, high-pressure days, I can handle the logistics, the schedules and the meals. However, the real challenge is finding the mental space to be fully present for the ‘extra’ moments, like spontaneous playtime or a messy craft.  

What’s one boundary or habit that helps you balance work and family life?  

Honestly, not every day is a well-balanced day. It’s a myth.   

But a few habits which help are: sticking to the schedule, weekly menu plan, prioritising the task list (both home and work), restricted mobile phones during mealtimes or family time.   

What’s something you’ve learned from your children?  

Clarity and simplicity.   

As adults, we tend to overcomplicate our emotions. Kids have such a pure heart. When I share a worry with her, her compassionate and simple perspective helps me see things from a much clearer angle. She reminds me to keep things simple.  

What’s been the most rewarding part of building a career while raising kids?  

While I love being a mum, having a career gives me a sense of identity that is uniquely mine. It provides me with immense satisfaction and happiness. I want my daughter to see that fulfilment so that, one day, she feels empowered to choose her own path with confidence.  

Have your priorities or definition of “success” changed?  

Definitely. Success used to be just about the next promotion. Now, success is about satisfaction. It’s feeling proud of a project I delivered at work while balancing it against my mum duties and keeping some me-time and energy to do something I love alongside.   

What’s something you’ve had to let go of to make balance sustainable?  

The myth of perfection. I’ve had to accept that the house won’t always be spotless and every meal won’t be everyone’s favourite.   

Letting go of the ‘perfect’ image and finding peace in small moments.  

What advice would you give to another working parent feeling stretched thin?  

Hang in there and don’t give up! It will be all worth it.   

Trust yourself but don’t overload. Sort out your top priorities, never be ashamed to ask for help.   

What do you hope your children learn from watching you?  

I hope my daughter grows up to be ambitious and independent, giving herself the importance she deserves, but also giving importance to the family bond and our family values.