Motherhood and ambition, an original series

colourful sketch of a woman sitting cross-legged holding a sun in one hand and a moon in the other

What happens to a woman’s ambition after she has children? How does she combine the rigors of advancing a career with those of raising a kid? There is no single answer. Here are five essays that showcase the different choices mothers make when it comes to working—either in or out of the home.

Motherhood and Ambition, a Motherwell original series, featuring:

Following the fishing line of my ambition, by Adrienne So

 

motherhoodandambitionfollowthefishline

Before I had kids, my mother told me: “Your career is the only thing you will ever have that is entirely your own.”

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Navigating my ambition as a single motherby Katherine Sargent

navigatingambitionasasinglemom

My own aspirations weren’t as important as buying groceries. I had my daughters 80 percent of the time.

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Showing my children that dreams can changeby Sonya Spillmann

motherhoodandambitionchangingcareersfires

The sparks of ambition, even in the middle of life, can become flames.

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On opting out and not having it allby Lauren Apfel

motherhoodandambitionoptingout

Having a kid before establishing a career was part luck and part madness.

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On not leaning in, but not leaning out, by Brianne DeRosa

onnotleaninginbutnotleaningout

I don’t want advancement. I just want to do a good job each day and go home without guilt.

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