Parenting and Career: Finding the Balance

Balancing a career and raising a family has never been easy. Today, the pressure seems greater than ever to have the perfect career, the perfect family, and the perfect life. Modern science has even given us the option of freezing eggs, allowing couples to wait until they feel the timing is perfect.

But here’s the truth: perfection is a mirage. It’s something we see in the distance but can never quite reach. Waiting for perfect conditions often leads to hesitation and procrastination. We put off dreams such as starting a family, furthering our education, improving our health, starting a business, or even writing a book because the circumstances don’t feel flawless. Yet, perfect conditions rarely ever exist.

Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, we might be better off looking for the right moment when it feels right. As mentioned, everyone is different, and that is what I want to share in this article. What have some of my guests learned from having a family? Career development, finances, timing, finding purpose, and lessons learned are subjects that are covered.

I will cover Anne, who went from law to life coaching, and the influence family had on this career move. Jessica and how her boys helped her discover her mission. Paul talks about taking a break to raise his son.  Monique explained how she pressed through her education and started a business while raising her daughters, Gino, a former detective, and how his family kept grounded. There is a conclusion with final thoughts.

Career Development: From Law to Life Coaching

Anne Roche shared her journey in my interview  https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/learning-to-live-with-her-heart-above-her-head. She took a sabbatical from her law career to raise her children, embracing homemaking as a role that required just as much skill and growth as any professional path.

Anne eventually re-entered the workforce when she and her family were ready. Through networking and resilience, she explored real estate, challenged the Bar, and worked as a defense attorney, specifically in appellate law. However, it was her personal ties balancing clients, her children’s needs, and caring for aging parents that ultimately led her to life coaching. Today, it’s a career she loves.

Her story highlights a powerful truth:  if she had not taken the time to raise her kids, she would not be in the position she is in now. It was the focus that she gave to her family that instigated a coaching change, and she is amazingly happy.

Finding Purpose in Family

Jessica Zou’s story,  https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/building-a-personal-brand-self-discovery, shares a similar theme. After being laid off from her role as a global sales manager during the mortgage crisis, she and her husband decided this was an opportunity to grow their family.

As in Anne's situation, when her family was ready, she attempted to enter the workforce. However, returning to the workforce wasn’t easy. Jessica faced barriers and setbacks. An easier transition was stepping into the family business. This helped her build confidence and discover new skills in brand marketing. Alongside her involvement in her sons’ education, a personal mission was sparked: improving public education. She went on to write “What Is School For? A Manifesto for Parents,” inspired by lessons she gained through raising her children.

Her story reveals how what seems like a detour can actually lead us toward our true calling. In essence, if she had not taken time out for her sons, she may not have found her calling.

Taking a Break

Paul McNeil, in our talk https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/a-passion-for-dinosaurs-working-as-a-paleontologist, described pausing his academic career to raise his son. His wife, who worked in the corporate world, was the primary breadwinner, so it made sense for Paul to focus on family.

Though his thesis was delayed by nearly four years, Paul emphasized that it was just part of life. Some pursuits take longer, and that doesn’t make them less meaningful. His story reminds us that stepping back doesn’t mean giving up; it often means realigning priorities.

Grinding It Out

On the other end of the spectrum, Monique Daigneault shared in https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/life-lessons  that she powered through, simultaneously managing education, business, and family. She admitted the cost: high stress and constant fatigue. “I was always tired,” she said. Still, her determination pushed her forward.

Sometimes, that’s the reality we push ourselves, even when it’s exhausting. While it may not be sustainable for everyone, Monique’s experience shows the grit it sometimes takes to move forward.

The Role of Family in Career

Gino Arcaro’s perspective in https://www.thecareerguy.ca/episodes/a-career-in-law-enforcement-and-much-more-part-2   adds another layer to these stories. For him, family was the anchor that kept him grounded during the demanding and often stressful years in law enforcement. His career was shaped not despite family but because of it. He learned how to be grounded, and his family gave him a sense of priority.

Conclusion

There is no universal “right” or “wrong” choice when it comes to balancing career and family. What these stories show is that children don’t hold us back; they help us grow. They shift our perspective, reveal strengths we didn’t know we had, and often lead us toward opportunities we might not have otherwise considered.

The truth is, there is no perfect time to start a family, switch careers, or chase a dream. There are simply choices, compromises, and the courage to follow what feels right. In pursuing one thing, we may temporarily set aside another, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone forever.

If there’s one takeaway from these stories, it’s this: life is not about perfect timing. It’s about moving forward, sometimes pausing, pushing, but always learning along the way. Thanks for reading, and I hope this blog helped.