Celebrating Yourself at Work as a Mother – Overcoming Mum Guilt

Returning to work after having a baby is an emotional rollercoaster. As much as I love what I do, leaving my baby at home every morning tugs at my heart. The guilt creeps in: Am I being selfish? Am I missing out on moments I’ll never get back?

But here’s what I’ve learned: pursuing my career doesn’t make me any less of a mother. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Every challenge I take on at work, every goal I achieve, and every barrier I break down is not just for me — it’s for my child too. I want my little one to grow up knowing that it's okay to chase dreams, build something meaningful, and be proud of it.

Mum guilt is real, but it doesn’t have to define our journey. Celebrating our wins at work doesn’t mean we love our children any less. It means we are showing them the strength, resilience, and passion that they can carry into their own lives one day.

To all the working mothers out there — it’s okay to feel torn, but don’t forget to celebrate yourself too. Your success is worth it, and your baby will grow up knowing they have a role model to look up to every single day.

Let’s keep supporting each other, sharing our stories, and reminding ourselves that we can be both devoted mothers and ambitious professionals.

Would love to hear from other moms — how do you manage mum guilt and celebrate your achievements at work?