4 answers
Amily
Student
Ann Arbor, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
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Is it realistically possible to be a present and active parent while working as a full-time consultant? #Spring25
I’m a freshman and someone who’s always thinking 100 steps ahead. Two of my biggest goals in life are to be a great mom and a successful consultant. I know consulting can be demanding, so I’d really appreciate hearing your perspective or advice on whether it’s possible to balance both, and what that might look like from your experience.
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4 answers
Jessica Holland, CPA
Managing Director, CPA
3
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hi Amily!
This is a great question and definitely something to think about. Balancing a family and work is hard but it can be done. My biggest piece of advice is to stay flexible and to have realistic expectations. Nothing will ever be completely balanced day in and day out. Instead, I find it most helpful to view "balance" as a give and take. Some days you will give more to your family life than your work life, and others it will be the opposite. Staying flexible and going into life as a working parent understanding that up front will help get you through.
What helps me is to assess my commitments and schedule (both work related and family related) one week at a time. I look to see what is on the calendar that are "must dos" for both categories, as well as what are "nice to dos" and "can waits". This helps me to focus my energy towards the things that will have the biggest impact to both my family life and work life. If there is an imbalance in a week, I make sure to give more to the other side the next week.
Another thing that is helpful is to let go of the concept of perfection and to cut yourself some slack. You don't have to be super mom and super employee 100% of the time.
Lastly, set boundaries! If there are important appts or activities for your kids that you want to be at, block time in your calendar to attend.
Best of luck to you in your future career and family!
This is a great question and definitely something to think about. Balancing a family and work is hard but it can be done. My biggest piece of advice is to stay flexible and to have realistic expectations. Nothing will ever be completely balanced day in and day out. Instead, I find it most helpful to view "balance" as a give and take. Some days you will give more to your family life than your work life, and others it will be the opposite. Staying flexible and going into life as a working parent understanding that up front will help get you through.
What helps me is to assess my commitments and schedule (both work related and family related) one week at a time. I look to see what is on the calendar that are "must dos" for both categories, as well as what are "nice to dos" and "can waits". This helps me to focus my energy towards the things that will have the biggest impact to both my family life and work life. If there is an imbalance in a week, I make sure to give more to the other side the next week.
Another thing that is helpful is to let go of the concept of perfection and to cut yourself some slack. You don't have to be super mom and super employee 100% of the time.
Lastly, set boundaries! If there are important appts or activities for your kids that you want to be at, block time in your calendar to attend.
Best of luck to you in your future career and family!
Shelley Rodriguez, CPA
1
Answer
Updated
Shelley’s Answer
When balancing a full-time career with parenthood, time management is key. I did it...twice and it is possible to be an engaged parent and high performing team member. Here are some important points that helped me:
Prioritize tasks: Identify what's most important at work and home, and focus your energy on those tasks.
Set realistic goals: Understand that perfection isn’t always achievable. It’s okay to not get everything done perfectly—what matters is your effort and progress.
Use a schedule: Plan your days to structure time for work, family, and self-care. Setting boundaries around work and family time can help prevent burnout.
Delegate when possible: At work, ask for help when needed. At home, share responsibilities with your partner or older children to reduce your load.
Give yourself grace: It’s normal to have moments where things don’t go according to plan. Allow yourself to be imperfect and avoid self-criticism.
By balancing these elements, you’ll create a sustainable routine that helps you thrive in both areas without overwhelming yourself.
Prioritize tasks: Identify what's most important at work and home, and focus your energy on those tasks.
Set realistic goals: Understand that perfection isn’t always achievable. It’s okay to not get everything done perfectly—what matters is your effort and progress.
Use a schedule: Plan your days to structure time for work, family, and self-care. Setting boundaries around work and family time can help prevent burnout.
Delegate when possible: At work, ask for help when needed. At home, share responsibilities with your partner or older children to reduce your load.
Give yourself grace: It’s normal to have moments where things don’t go according to plan. Allow yourself to be imperfect and avoid self-criticism.
By balancing these elements, you’ll create a sustainable routine that helps you thrive in both areas without overwhelming yourself.
Joe Tulloch
Technical Consulting
6
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Joe’s Answer
Hey Amily!
Awesome that you're thinking about your future in this forward thinking way. It shows that you are taking a macro view on not just your career, but how other factors may impact how the roles you take and the level at which you'll be able to perform/deliver in those roles.
Balancing a demanding career in consulting with the responsibilities of motherhood is certainly challenging, but it is also achievable with careful planning and a supportive network. Many successful consultants who are also mothers have found ways to navigate these dual roles by setting clear priorities and boundaries. Some of these methods include:
1. One key strategy is to leverage flexible work arrangements, which are becoming increasingly common in consulting firms. These might include options like remote work, flexible hours, or part-time consulting roles. By having the ability to adjust your work schedule, you can better accommodate the needs of your family while still maintaining a successful career.
2. Having a strong support system—whether it's a partner, family members, or reliable childcare—can make a significant difference. This network can provide the extra help needed during particularly busy periods at work or when family demands increase.
Additionally, it's very important to have effective time management and organization which are crucial elements in balancing these roles. It involves setting realistic goals and expectations for both your professional and personal life. This might mean being fully present at work during office hours and then dedicating uninterrupted time to your family in the evenings or on weekends. It's also important to communicate openly with your employer and family about your needs and limits.
This transparency can help in negotiating flexible arrangements and in ensuring that both your work and family life are fulfilling. Many women find it helpful to seek mentorship from other working mothers in the consulting field, as they can provide valuable insights and strategies that have worked for them. Balancing these two important aspects of your life will require adaptability and resilience, but with determination and the right resources, you can achieve both your career and family goals.
Awesome that you're thinking about your future in this forward thinking way. It shows that you are taking a macro view on not just your career, but how other factors may impact how the roles you take and the level at which you'll be able to perform/deliver in those roles.
Balancing a demanding career in consulting with the responsibilities of motherhood is certainly challenging, but it is also achievable with careful planning and a supportive network. Many successful consultants who are also mothers have found ways to navigate these dual roles by setting clear priorities and boundaries. Some of these methods include:
1. One key strategy is to leverage flexible work arrangements, which are becoming increasingly common in consulting firms. These might include options like remote work, flexible hours, or part-time consulting roles. By having the ability to adjust your work schedule, you can better accommodate the needs of your family while still maintaining a successful career.
2. Having a strong support system—whether it's a partner, family members, or reliable childcare—can make a significant difference. This network can provide the extra help needed during particularly busy periods at work or when family demands increase.
Additionally, it's very important to have effective time management and organization which are crucial elements in balancing these roles. It involves setting realistic goals and expectations for both your professional and personal life. This might mean being fully present at work during office hours and then dedicating uninterrupted time to your family in the evenings or on weekends. It's also important to communicate openly with your employer and family about your needs and limits.
This transparency can help in negotiating flexible arrangements and in ensuring that both your work and family life are fulfilling. Many women find it helpful to seek mentorship from other working mothers in the consulting field, as they can provide valuable insights and strategies that have worked for them. Balancing these two important aspects of your life will require adaptability and resilience, but with determination and the right resources, you can achieve both your career and family goals.
Alvin Tsai
IT Consulting
7
Answers
Chino, California
Updated
Alvin’s Answer
While I am not a parent myself, I work closely with a manager who is the parent of five-year-old twins. Although I can't speak personally to the daily responsibilities of balancing work and parenthood, I can share my perspective as someone who works directly under a parent in a full-time consulting role.
My manager often praises our company’s support for work-life balance. She’s able to attend to her children’s needs—such as school drop-offs and pick-ups, extracurricular activities, and doctor’s appointments—without compromising her professional responsibilities. Despite her parental commitments, she remains consistently available and supportive, and I’ve never felt that her dual role as a parent and consultant has negatively impacted our team.
From my experience, being a full-time consultant and a parent is entirely possible. The key factor is the environment and culture of the workplace. When flexibility and trust are prioritized, it enables individuals to succeed both professionally and personally.
My manager often praises our company’s support for work-life balance. She’s able to attend to her children’s needs—such as school drop-offs and pick-ups, extracurricular activities, and doctor’s appointments—without compromising her professional responsibilities. Despite her parental commitments, she remains consistently available and supportive, and I’ve never felt that her dual role as a parent and consultant has negatively impacted our team.
From my experience, being a full-time consultant and a parent is entirely possible. The key factor is the environment and culture of the workplace. When flexibility and trust are prioritized, it enables individuals to succeed both professionally and personally.