This question that stays with you long after your workday ends: ⤾ď¸
âMom, why do you have to work?"
My kids asked me that a few times when they were younger.
And every time, I felt it.
Because while I was building a successful careerâŚ
There was also that quiet, uncomfortable thought:
Am I getting this balance wrong?
Some senior leaders donât talk about this openly.
But itâs a constant undercurrent.
A client put it perfectly:
âIâm an SVP at work. But at home, Iâm the lowest level employee:
The Manager of Everything.â
And that tension creates a persistent, low-grade guilt:
⤠Am I doing enough?
⤠Am I present enough?
⤠What is this costing my family?
I know that feeling well.
While leading regional roles in a global MNC, I raised 2 kids across 5 countries with my husband, while we both worked full time.
Even with support, I still felt the struggle of that juggle.
If youâve ever felt this tension, hereâs what helped me:
1ď¸âŁ BE RUTHLESS ON PRIORITIES
Know your values & own them.
I chose family first, even if it meant a slower climb.
I still got to where I wanted to be, without sacrificing my role as a wife & mother.
Set boundaries:
âł No emails on weekends
âł No work after certain hours
âł No unnecessary evening socials
2ď¸âŁ ALIGN ON HOUSEHOLD ROLES
Be clear about responsibilities with your partner.
Whoâs in charge of bills? School pick-ups? Dinner?
This prevents one person from feeling overburdened.
3ď¸âŁ EMBRACE FLEXIBLE LEADERSHIP
Use the flexible policies available to you.
Shape your schedule to deliver results, without defaulting to constant sacrifice.
4ď¸âŁ DELEGATE AT WORK & HOME
Hire strong people. Trust & empower them.
At home, outsource what you can: groceries, cleaning, meal prep.
Spend your precious time where it matters most.
5ď¸âŁ CREATE TRANSITION RITUALS
Shift intentionally from Executive to Parent Mode.
Find rituals that make you more present at home:
A walk, exercise, or putting away your phone away.
6ď¸âŁPRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION
There is no perfect balance.
Some days, you win. Others, you wonât.
Give yourself grace.
My kids are now independent, thriving adults who have their own careers.
One of them said a few years ago:
âMom, I wouldnât have it any other way.
You showed me itâs possible to succeed at work & still be present at home.â
That stayed with me.
Because your children donât need perfection.
They need a model of whatâs possible.
So if youâre juggling this tension right now:
You're not alone. Youâre trying to do your best.
Youâre navigating one of the most complex leadership roles there is.
Photo: with my grown up babies.
+++
Hi! Iâm Rocky Esguerra, Executive Coach and ex-APAC CHRO of Procter & Gamble, Pfizer and The HEINEKEN Company.
I help senior leaders succeed at the highest levelsâwithout losing what matters most in their lives.
Book a Free Discovery Call to explore how we can work together.
042726
Melissa Noelle E. Enzo E. Gary F. Esguerra
âMom, why do you have to work?"
My kids asked me that a few times when they were younger.
And every time, I felt it.
Because while I was building a successful careerâŚ
There was also that quiet, uncomfortable thought:
Am I getting this balance wrong?
Some senior leaders donât talk about this openly.
But itâs a constant undercurrent.
A client put it perfectly:
âIâm an SVP at work. But at home, Iâm the lowest level employee:
The Manager of Everything.â
And that tension creates a persistent, low-grade guilt:
⤠Am I doing enough?
⤠Am I present enough?
⤠What is this costing my family?
I know that feeling well.
While leading regional roles in a global MNC, I raised 2 kids across 5 countries with my husband, while we both worked full time.
Even with support, I still felt the struggle of that juggle.
If youâve ever felt this tension, hereâs what helped me:
1ď¸âŁ BE RUTHLESS ON PRIORITIES
Know your values & own them.
I chose family first, even if it meant a slower climb.
I still got to where I wanted to be, without sacrificing my role as a wife & mother.
Set boundaries:
âł No emails on weekends
âł No work after certain hours
âł No unnecessary evening socials
2ď¸âŁ ALIGN ON HOUSEHOLD ROLES
Be clear about responsibilities with your partner.
Whoâs in charge of bills? School pick-ups? Dinner?
This prevents one person from feeling overburdened.
3ď¸âŁ EMBRACE FLEXIBLE LEADERSHIP
Use the flexible policies available to you.
Shape your schedule to deliver results, without defaulting to constant sacrifice.
4ď¸âŁ DELEGATE AT WORK & HOME
Hire strong people. Trust & empower them.
At home, outsource what you can: groceries, cleaning, meal prep.
Spend your precious time where it matters most.
5ď¸âŁ CREATE TRANSITION RITUALS
Shift intentionally from Executive to Parent Mode.
Find rituals that make you more present at home:
A walk, exercise, or putting away your phone away.
6ď¸âŁPRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION
There is no perfect balance.
Some days, you win. Others, you wonât.
Give yourself grace.
My kids are now independent, thriving adults who have their own careers.
One of them said a few years ago:
âMom, I wouldnât have it any other way.
You showed me itâs possible to succeed at work & still be present at home.â
That stayed with me.
Because your children donât need perfection.
They need a model of whatâs possible.
So if youâre juggling this tension right now:
You're not alone. Youâre trying to do your best.
Youâre navigating one of the most complex leadership roles there is.
Photo: with my grown up babies.
+++
Hi! Iâm Rocky Esguerra, Executive Coach and ex-APAC CHRO of Procter & Gamble, Pfizer and The HEINEKEN Company.
I help senior leaders succeed at the highest levelsâwithout losing what matters most in their lives.
Book a Free Discovery Call to explore how we can work together.
042726
Melissa Noelle E. Enzo E. Gary F. Esguerra
