The traditional career ladder that we know wasn’t really designed for mothers. Between school pickups, sick days, and the mental load of managing a household, many of us find ourselves questioning whether our current work situation truly serves our lives – or if we’re just surviving it.
I’ve been there. Staring at my laptop at 11 PM, trying to finish work that couldn’t get done during the day because of 2 meltdowns (one of which I actually had, one my child), a forgotten lunch, and parent-teacher conference that was (not so) conveniently scheduled at 2pm in the afternoon. Sound familiar?
Millions of mothers are having this same realization. They are experiencing this day in day out. We’re tired of forcing ourselves into career boxes that weren’t built for our reality of life that we are living each day. That’s where holistic career coaching comes in – and honestly, it’s been a real game-changer for many of the mothers I work with.
“What Exactly Is Holistic Career Coaching?”
It’s career advice that actually gets what your life looks like. It goes beyond the neat analysis of talents, strengths and passions and what you could use them for in real life.
Traditional career coaching feels like it was designed for people who don’t have to worry about childcare falling through or leaving work early for a pediatrician appointment. Holistic career coaching? It starts with the assumption that your career needs to work WITH your life, not against it.
I love working with moms because they bring such a rich mix of experience to the table. Often they don’t see the potential they have for a new career path until they explore their strengths in detail. They negotiated peace treaties between siblings, managed complex schedules, and solved problems with whatever random supplies you had in your purse. They are solution finders. They greatest asset in any company. These aren’t just “mom skills” – they’re serious professional assets.
Let’s explore in more detail the kind of questions we usually discuss in holistic career coaching:
- Figuring out what actually matters to you now (spoiler: it might be different than before kids)
- Working with your energy instead of pretending you’re a machine
- Combining your professional background with everything you’ve learned as a mother
- Creating income that makes sense for your family’s need’s
- Finding work that feels meaningful
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Showing the world what you’re really capable of
“I Have So Many Interests – How Do I Choose Just One Career Path?”
Plot twist: you might not have to choose.
Last month, I worked with Sarah, a former marketing manager who’d become really excited about nutrition. She had started a small Etsy shop selling handmade toys, and was considering going back to school for parenting coaching. She felt scattered and kept apologizing for not having a “clear direction.”
Here’s what I told her (and what I’m telling you): being multipassionate isn’t a flaw that needs fixing. It’s actually your secret gift.
Think about it – you’ve mastered the art of switching between tasks, seeing connections others might miss, and bringing fresh perspectives to old problems. These are exactly the skills that make people successful in today’s companies.
Your multiple interests might combine in ways you haven’t considered yet:
Maybe your marketing background + nutrition passion = helping wellness brands tell their stories
Perhaps that Etsy shop + child development interest = creating educational products for kids
Or your project management skills from juggling family life could help other small business owners get organized
At Mamawhatsnext.com, I see this all the time. The mothers who think they’re “all over the place” often end up creating the most innovative and fulfilling careers because they’re not afraid to color outside the lines.
“How Do I Know If My Current Career Is Still Right For Me?”
You need to trust your gut. Because it’s probably telling you something important.
Remember when you used to love Sunday nights? When Monday morning felt full of possibility instead of exhaustion before the week even started? If that feeling is just a distant memory, your career might be overdue for a change.
I ask my clients to pay attention to their energy throughout the week. What bringst hem energy and joy and what blocks their joy and drains their energy. It’s an important indicator.
Some questions worth asking:
Do you feel proud when you tell people what you do for work?
Can you be authentic in your job, or do you feel like you’re playing a role?
Does your work schedule allow you to be the kind of mother you want to be?
Are you learning and growing, or just getting a paycheck?
These are practical questions focussed on creating alignment. Because when your work aligns with who you are, everything else gets easier.
“Where Do I Start If I Want To Make A Change?”
Small steps eventually lead to big change. But we have to start.
The biggest mistake I see mothers make when they’re ready for a career change? Trying to figure it all out in their heads and never taking any action. Sometimes we know exactly what we want, and sometimes we have to be open to experimenting, to trying new things, letting things flow.
Start where you are:
Notice what parts of your current work you actually enjoy
Pay attention to what you find yourself reading about in your free time
Have coffee with someone whose career intrigues you
Try something small – volunteer, take a class, start a tiny side hustle
Build a website for your new creative project, play with it, grow it, experiment
Most importantly, talk to other mothers who’ve made changes you admire
Book Recommendation: “It’s Your Dream” by Simon Squibb – I’m actually reading this right now, and it’s full of practical wisdom about starting your entrepreneurial venture and making your dreams happen.
I know how isolating it can feel when you’re stuck in work that doesn’t fit your life anymore. But here’s what I’ve learned from working with hundreds of mothers: the skills you’ve developed raising children – the creativity, resilience, and ability to make something out of nothing – these are exactly what you need to create work that truly serves your life.
Your dreams don’t need to wait until your kids leave you with an empty nest. They can start now, in small ways that explore your ambitions while honoring your family’s needs.