When my children were little, I made a life-changing decision—to pause my career and be a full-time mom. I wanted to be fully present for their early years, cherishing every milestone and ensuring they had the love and attention they needed. But deep down, I never lost my ambition to work and continue my education.
As they grew older and started school, I slowly re-entered the workforce. I was intentional about choosing roles that allowed me to ‘balance work and family’ as, of course, society has huge expectations for me as a woman to take care of my family. It wasn’t easy, but I found a workplace that valued me as both a professional and a mother. Those years taught me resilience, time management, and the power of prioritization.
By the time my children reached their teenage years, I realized they needed me less, and I finally had the space to focus on my own dreams. A master’s degree had always been on my wishlist, but financial constraints made it challenging. To make matters worse, most scholarships had an age limit of 35—and I was already 37. Just when I thought my chances were slim, I found a scholarship that welcomed applicants up to 45. I applied, got in, and finally pursued my long-awaited degree. Later, I also secured a scholarship for a short course abroad, one that had no age restriction. These opportunities reignited my passion for learning and self-growth.
During one of my classes, a friend introduced me to the concept of the “mommy track.” It was a revelation—I had unknowingly been following this path all along. The mommy track describes women who choose flexible work arrangements in exchange for fewer career advancements or those who step away from work and later return, often struggling to re-enter at the same level.
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is there a “daddy track”? The answer was clear. In a patriarchal society, men are expected to be the primary breadwinners, and when the choice between work and family arises, work almost always takes priority. For women, it’s often the opposite—we put our families first, sacrificing our own ambitions in the process.
A 2022 study in the UK confirmed this reality: 85% of women left full-time work within three years of having their first child, and nearly a quarter of them never returned. Even those who tried to resume full-time careers struggled—many left due to redundancy, mental health challenges, or the sheer impossibility of balancing it all.
Through this journey, I realized how unfair these barriers are—age limits on education, workplaces that don’t support mothers, and societal expectations that make it harder for women to pursue their goals. Many of us put our dreams on hold for years, only to find doors closed when we’re finally ready to walk through them. This is why I advocate for more inclusive opportunities—ones that don’t penalize women for prioritizing family at different stages of life.
The mommy track wasn’t an easy road, but it taught me perseverance, patience, and the value of long-term vision. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: It’s never too late.
So to all the women out there—go chase your dreams. Start whenever you’re ready. The timeline is yours to own.
References:
Heagren, J (2022). Careers After Babies: The Uncomfortable Truth. That Works For Me. Retrieved from https://internationalwim.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/CareersAfterBabiesv8-min.pdf Miller, K. (2015). Organizational communication: Approaches and processes (7th ed.). Stamford: Cengage Learning.