Sarah, a working mother from Brisbane, made the tough decision to prioritise her family over her career and faced backlash and criticism from her colleagues and peers as a result. Despite the challenges, she remained true to herself and her values and ultimately found success and fulfilment in a career that allows her to balance both work and family. In this interview, Sarah shares her story of navigating backlash for choosing family and offers advice and insights for other women facing similar challenges.
Interviewer: Can you tell us about the moment when you decided to prioritise your family over your career, and what led to that decision?
Sarah: Yeah, it wasn't a moment, it was more like a slow realisation that my job was taking up too much of my time and energy, and my family was suffering because of it. I wasn't there for my kids as much as I wanted to be, and I was always stressed and exhausted. So, I decided to scale back my career and focus on my family.
Interviewer: How did your colleagues and peers react to your decision?
Sarah: Oh, they were not happy. I got a lot of shit for it, to be honest. People thought I was throwing away my career, that I was wasting my talents and my potential. They were like, "Why did you bother going to university if you're just going to become a stay-at-home mum?" It was really frustrating and hurtful.
Interviewer: How did you respond to the criticism and backlash?
Sarah: I tried to ignore it as much as possible, but it was hard. I felt like I had to justify my decision to everyone, to explain why my family was more important to me than my career. But eventually, I just stopped giving a fuck what other people thought. I knew that I was doing what was best for me and my family, and that's all that mattered.
Interviewer: What challenges did you face in finding a career that allowed you to balance work and family?
Sarah: It was definitely a challenge. I had to be really picky about the jobs I applied for, and I had to be upfront with potential employers about my priorities. But I was lucky enough to find a company that valued work-life balance and was supportive of my family commitments. And I've been able to work my way up in the company and still have time for my family.
Interviewer: What advice do you have for other women who are facing resistance for prioritising their families over their careers?
Sarah: My advice would be to ignore the haters and do what's best for you and your family. Don't let other people's opinions dictate your decisions. And don't be afraid to be picky about the jobs you apply for and the companies you work for. There are companies out there that value work-life balance and support their employees' family commitments. You just have to find them.
Interviewer: Have you had any experience with mentoring other women in their career journeys? If so, what advice do you have for women who want to support and empower other women in the workplace?
Sarah: Yeah, I've mentored a few women in the past. My advice would be to not sugarcoat things for them. Tell them the harsh truths and give them practical solutions to help them overcome their challenges. Also, encourage them to be confident and assertive in the workplace. We need more women who are willing to speak up and take charge.
Well, mentoring is important because there are a lot of women out there who are dealing with the same shit I did. They're told that they have to choose between their career and their family, and it's a load of crap. So, if I can help some of these women navigate through that and find their own way, then I'm all for it. But let's be real, I'm not going to hold anyone's hand through it. I'll give them the tools they need, but they've got to figure it out for themselves.
Interviewer: How do you empower and support other women in the workplace?
Sarah: As for empowering other women, I don't know what that even means. I can't give someone else power. They have to take it for themselves. But what I can do is support them, encourage them, and call out any bullshit that tries to hold them back. We've got to stick together and have each other's backs.
Though, I do try to lead by example. I'm not afraid to speak up and take charge when necessary, and I encourage other women to do the same. I also make an effort to give credit where credit is due and celebrate the achievements of my female colleagues. We're all in this together, and we need to support each other.
Interviewer: Can you tell us more about your current job and how it allows you to balance work and family?
Sarah: Yeah, sure. I work as a project manager for a tech company. Basically, I manage a bunch of shit that's supposed to make our company more money. It's a high-pressure gig, but it pays well and lets me have some flexibility. I can work from home if I need to, and I have a boss who understands that family comes first. Plus, I don't have to deal with a bunch of office politics and bullshit, which is always a plus.
Interviewer: That sounds like a good setup. How do you think other women can find similar opportunities in their own careers?
Sarah: Honestly, it's fucking tough. A lot of companies talk the talk when it comes to work-life balance, but then they expect you to work 60-hour weeks and be available 24/7. It's such bullshit. My advice would be to do your research and find a company that actually values its employees as human beings. And don't be afraid to ask for what you need. If you want to work from home or have flexible hours, fucking ask for it. The worst they can say is no.
Interviewer: That's great advice. What do you think is your biggest career mistake, and what did you learn from it?
Sarah: Oh man, I've made a fuckton of mistakes in my career. But I think the biggest one was staying in a job that was making me miserable for way too long. I was working crazy hours, dealing with a toxic boss, and not getting paid what I was worth. And I just kept telling myself that it would get better if I just stuck it out. But it never did. Eventually, I had to quit and start over somewhere else. It was scary as hell, but it was also the best decision I ever made. Lesson learned: don't stay in a job that's making you miserable. Life's too fucking short.
Interviewer: Do you have any final thoughts or insights to share?
Sarah: Just that it's possible to have a successful career and a fulfilling family life. You don't have to choose between the two. It might take some work to find the right balance, but it's worth it in the end. And don't let anyone make you feel guilty for prioritising your family. It's your life, your decisions, and your happiness that matter most.
* Name and identifying details have been changed to protect anonymity. Names, places, and other details have been changed to protect anonymity.