Balancing act made possible by WFH

 Seven years ago, when my maternity leave ended-my then employer couldn’t offer the work from home flexibility I needed. We tried daycare for about a month, but every drop-off meant leaving behind a howling child, and every pick-up brought back a strangely quiet one. It was heartbreaking for all of us.

Then COVID happened. It was a difficult and tragic time globally, but for parents like us, it came with an unexpected silver lining—we got to be present with our children in a way we hadn’t imagined possible. While some may argue that raising kids in a homebound environment wasn’t ideal, for working parents it shifted everything. It pushed organizations to finally recognize working from home as a legitimate and viable option.

Seven years on, I’m still working from home, now with two kids. I do go into the office once a week, but the flexibility this lifestyle offers is unmatched. It has enabled so many women to stay in the workforce instead of stepping away to manage family responsibilities.

Of course, there are trade-offs. Being physically present in an office helps build relationships, improves visibility, and allows for organic information exchange—things that are harder to replicate remotely. I acknowledge that. But when I chose to have children, I also understood that my career might take a temporary backseat. For a few years, the focus would be on sustaining my career rather than constantly striving to excel or outperform.

And for now, that balance feels just right. For now I choose presence over pace.