Every day, millions of women around the world wake up with a packed schedule: making breakfast, organizing school bags, attending work meetings, checking emails, helping with homework, cooking dinner, and maybe—if they're lucky—taking a moment to breathe. Being a mother and a professional isn't just a choice; it's an act of love, courage, and daily resilience.

The double burden: between guilt and commitment

For many women, motherhood doesn't stop when they turn on their computer or arrive at the office. Their minds remain divided: Did they eat well? How was school? Who's taking care of them while I work? Am I being enough?

Added to this is the work commitment: being punctual, productive, and outstanding. The perfectionism that many of us feel as a silent burden makes us demanding of ourselves. We don't want to fail on either front. But why do we always feel this way? - Long hours and high demands: Many feel pressure to perform at their best to "compensate" for their role as mothers, working overtime or avoiding mentioning that they have family responsibilities, for fear of appearing unprofessional.

There are gaps at home too.

Home should be a refuge, but in many cases it becomes a second shift at work. Although more and more couples are seeking an equitable division of labor, the reality is that in many families the burden of housework and childcare continues to fall primarily on women.

- Maternal guilt: One of the most difficult emotions to manage. Feeling that we are not "present enough", that we miss important moments, or that we are not "the perfect mom".

- Emotional and physical exhaustion: Jumping from the office to preparing dinner, bathing children, checking homework or attending to nighttime crying leaves little room for self-care.

- External judgment: Often, other people (even other women) comment on our decisions: if we work, why aren't we at home more; if we're at home, why aren't we making the most of our professional training. Social pressure is constant and, often, cruel.

But there is also light… It's not all challenges. There is also beauty in this double life. Many women find in motherhood and work a powerful combination that enriches their identity and strengthens their spirit.

- Personal growth: Being a mother forces us to be better organized, to set boundaries, and to prioritize. These skills not only improve our family life, but also make us more empathetic, collaborative, and resilient leaders.

- Professional fulfillment: Having a career not only gives us economic independence, but also self-esteem, motivation and the possibility of building a solid future for our children.

- Inspire by example: Our children see in us a role model of effort, discipline, and passion. They see that it is possible to pursue dreams while still loving deeply.

Talking about "balance" might seem utopian. Perhaps it's not about achieving perfect equilibrium, but about finding a rhythm that works for each person, according to their reality, values, and resources.

The challenge of being a mother and a professional should not fall solely on women's shoulders. It is everyone's responsibility—society, businesses, governments, and families—to build a more inclusive and humane environment.

We need more flexible labor policies, fair maternity and paternity leave, access to quality childcare, and a culture that values ​​care work as part of collective well-being.

But we also need to change cultural narratives: stop romanticizing female sacrifice, stop judging mothers for their decisions, and start celebrating the diversity of paths a woman can take.

An invitation to compassion

If you're reading this and feeling tired, overwhelmed, or doubtful, I want to tell you something: you're doing great. You don't need to do everything perfectly. Your children don't need a perfect mother; they need a present, real mother who loves herself as much as she loves them.

And if you're at that point where you're wondering if it's worth it, remember this: every effort you make builds a legacy. Not just for your children, but for generations of women to come.

Let's keep moving forward. Together. Without guilt, with hope, with courage.

By Mayra Alejandra Ramírez

Marketing and Entrepreneurship Consultant

Teacher and Mother