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A Juggling Act: Moms of Keches share realities of being a working parent

You are here: Home / News / Culture / A Juggling Act: Moms of Keches share realities of being a working parent

May 10, 2023 //  by Keches Law

If motherhood is a full-time job, are working moms technically balancing two careers? A 2018 study says yes – and then some!

The study commissioned by Welch’s found that working moms are going way beyond pulling double duty, averaging a whopping 98 hours per week between professional and parental obligations.

The balancing act of being a working parent comes with unique challenges. Read on to hear from some of the mothers of Keches Law Group as they share their perspectives and experiences.

A LOT OF IRONS IN THE FIRE

Being a parent and maintaining a commitment to a full-time career isn’t without its struggles, and learning how to balance the two can feel like your own personal circus.

Legal Assistant Jessica Lema says although some days are harder than others, it comes naturally when doing a job you love and when you have children you love even more.

“Your instincts just kick in when you look at your children’s faces and know that they deserve everything, and you want to be the person they name as their role model,” Lema says.

Senior Legal Assistant Korilyne Furtado says she tries to give 100% to her career when at work, and 100% to her girls when she’s at home.

“While I cannot say I am perfect at it, setting boundaries has helped me become both a more present mother and employee,” Furtado says.

One of the working moms, a brown-haired woman named Jessica Lema, wearing jeans crouches on a path running through a field of sunflowers holding onto her two children, 1 and 1/2 year old boy appearing to be Caucasian, named John and a 4 year old girl with tan skin named Gracelynn. To her left stands a long white sign that says 'A Mother's Love Blooms Forever'.
Jessica Lema with her kids, Gracelynne, 4, and John, 1 1/2.

WINNING STRATEGIES FOR WORKING MOMS

Kids need attention at home, and work needs attention at the office. How does someone manage it? Whether learning to change an approach or figure out a system that works personally, the working moms at Keches say they’ve learned how to adjust.

“I keep a very detailed, color-coded calendar,” says Human Resources Generalist Cathy Shibley. “I set lots of reminders and I have lists everywhere!”

Legal Assistant Laura Graham says the most important strategy she uses is preparation.

“Prep is key,” she says. “Laying out clothes the night before, packing school lunches before bed and ‘trying’ to not let the laundry get out of control.”

Senior Attorney Erica Pereira says some sacrifice is needed both at home and at work and coming to terms with that helped her clarify what she wanted.

“Sometimes you can’t give 100% to everything and that is OK,” Pereira says. “It takes a long time to understand yourself enough to realize that there can be a balance that allows you to be successful without sacrificing too much of yourself and what you want.”

Working mom Erica Pereira sits at a table with her arms around her two daughters, all appear to be Caucasian and have long brown hair. Her daughters are on either side of her: a nine-year old named Quinn on her right and an 11-year old named Brooke on her left. All three wear jean jackets. The table has breakfast food and flowers on it.
Erica Pereira with her daughters, Brooke, 11, and Quinn, 9.

Operations Manager Susan Mulligan says she advises enjoying kids while they are young without too much pressure.

“Do the best you can and don’t beat yourself up if you think you’re not measuring up,” she says. “Don’t stress about trying to get all the chores done and take the time to spend with the kids when they’re very young, they grow up fast!”

SETTING AN EXAMPLE

Senior Legal Assistant Valeri Drummond says she likes the message it sends to her kids to see her going to work.

“Some days, it was definitely a challenge, but I liked them knowing we all have to do our part, to go to school or work,” Drummond says.

Senior Attorney and Tort Department Manager Loren Laskoski says being a mother is the most important job she has and that one of the most important parts of the job is showing her daughter how to succeed.

“One of the most significant things I can do as a mom is to be a positive role model for my daughter,” she says. “To guide and support her in growing and becoming a young woman who is confident in herself and who knows that she can achieve anything she wants if she works hard and that there are no obstacles that she cannot overcome.”

THERE’S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

Despite cultural shifts that have made workplaces more welcoming to working parents, many moms of Keches agreed there’s still a ways to go when it comes to providing flexibility and consideration.

“Understanding the basis of a healthy and functioning society begins in the home with healthy parents,” Legal Assistant Layne Watson says. “Family is the most important. Without healthy families, the community and culture of that community is greatly impacted in a negative way.”

Furtado agrees, citing support and understanding as essential elements. She says working moms don’t want special treatment, but acknowledging daily struggles of motherhood makes all the difference.

“Moms will find a way to do it all no matter what, it’s what we do! But if encouraged along the way, imagine what else we could do,” Furtado says.

A woman named Korilyne Furtado who is a working mom at Keches Law Group wears a tan sweater and a green floral dress while sitting on a white blanket in the center of a path that runs through a garden. She has her one-year old daughter Amelia on her lap wearing a brown onesie over a white undershirt and has a floral bow on her head. Korilyne also has her arm around her three-year old daughter Regan who is wearing a red dress and is standing to her left. All three appear to be Caucasian and have brown hair. The garden includes a stone wall running to Korilyne's right and the sun shines behind her.
Korilyne Furtado with her children Regan, 3, and Amelia, 1.

THE HARD WORK IS ALWAYS WORTH IT

Although the balance of family and work life is a challenge, working moms at Keches Law Group say the benefit merits the struggle.

“Being a mom has always meant being present for my girls at every opportunity and stage of their lives,” Drummond says. “Supporting their hopes and dreams has been easy and I love who they are.”

“It is very gratifying to see all the hard work you put in guiding your kids and trying to provide a strong foundation finally paying off when your adult children are happy, kind-hearted and responsible,” Mulligan says.

Valeri Drummond a working mom at Keches Law Group sits on a hotel room bed with her two adult children Jensen, 24, and Jessica, 28. All are wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts, have brown hair and appear to be Caucasian.
Valeri Drummond with her children, Jessica, 28, and Jensen, 24.

KECHES IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING WORKING MOMS

We’re proud to stand behind the hardworking parents who help form the backbone of our team. The empathy and dedication they demonstrate every day ensures our clients feel heard and validated.

“Keches has been exceptionally understanding,” Watson says. “They have exceeded my greatest expectations and I am forever grateful for their understanding and goodwill for others.”

We’re so lucky to have these incredible mothers serving our clients. Be sure to tell the moms and mother figures in your life how much they’re appreciated!

Category: Culture, NewsTag: Cathy Shibley, Erica Pereira, Jessica Lema, Korilyne Furtado, Laura Graham, Layne Watson, Loren Laskoski, Mothers Day, Susan Mulligan, Valeri Drummond

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