Summer is tough
With kids home, the hunt for paid work, and the pressure to squeeze in fun… it can be a lot.
Every year, I look forward to summer. Long days. Popsicles. Bare feet. A rhythm that’s looser, more delicious. The kids are home, and so are the snack demands, the sibling squabbles, and the million iterations of “Mommmmm.”
This video of a mom counting how often she hears her name in a single day? VALIDATING.
And while there’s joy, there’s also the juggle.
This summer has been extra special. My parents were here for six weeks, and it was the kind of precious, slow time I deeply cherish, especially because our trips to India are always too short and too packed. Watching my girls soak up every minute with their grandparents filled my cup.
But I also felt pulled.
Spending time with them or job hunting?
Showing them around or writing?
Relieving them of house responsibilities or using the time to “be productive”?
My mom, being her superhuman self, ran the house.
My dad? On a mission to declutter like Marie Kondo meets Home Depot.
And me? Feeling grateful… and guilty.
But before I spiral about what I didn’t do; here’s what I did manage:
1. I experimented with an AI-powered job tool.
I came across this post on LinkedIn and got intrigued.
An AI recruiter that curates jobs for you after a short 10-minute chat about your needs & aspirations? I had to give it a try.
It’s still early-stage, with plenty of kinks to iron out, but the experience reminded me that the future of job searching might be a lot more personalized (and AI-assisted) than we think.
2. I kept networking, even if slower than before.
It’s not spring-level pace, but I’m still building. I recently connected with Dr. Anne Welsh, a career strategist who’s generously offered her coaching program to Empower the Gap subscribers:
Led by Dr. Anne welsh, a psychologist, executive coach and mother of 4, Working Mothers Lifeline is a 6 month, small-group coaching program. It was created for women navigating the messy middle of working motherhood: career questions, caregiving demands, and the deep desire to live with more clarity and less guilt.
In it, members get to talk about ambition, identity, burnout, and boundaries. It’s honest, expert-guided, and deeply affirming. If you’re craving a space to feel seen and supported as you sort out what’s next, this is for you.
Learn more or join here: https://www.drannewelsh.com/group-coaching-for-working-mothers
She’s also writing a guest post that I can’t wait to share. These small, genuine connections keep reminding me: real career growth is still built on real relationships.
3. I finished a book and rediscovered my love for fiction.
Yes, I finally read The Power Pause, but what really got me back into reading was fiction. I picked up a few novels from our local library and I’ve devoured them.
Not for productivity. Just for pleasure. Just for me. Escaping into someone else’s story has a strange way of grounding me in my own.
4. I signed up for an AI course.
I finally enrolled in Coursera’s Google Prompting Essentials. It’s not all brand-new, but it’s helping sharpen & refine my skills. Sure, it’s taking longer than I thought (hello, summer chaos), but every new skill - especially in AI - is a deposit into future-me’s toolbox.
5. I’m learning how to write a PRD.
Product Requirement Document. Sounds technical and intimidating, right? But I have a few ideas simmering, and I want to see if they’re worth building. The advice I got was to write a PRD of those ideas. Learning how to frame and structure ideas like a product manager feels like an important part of my next chapter - even if no one’s asking for it yet.
6. I continue writing. In scraps and stolen moments.
I haven’t had any long, dreamy blocks of uninterrupted time. But I have had moments.
Selective bursts in my Notes app. Half-written blog ideas. Thoughts typed up while bribing the kids with cake and spritzers at a coffee shop.
Sometimes, the best ideas show up when we’re not trying so hard.
The Truth About Summer (And Moms Like Us)
Here’s the thing about summer with kids and career dreams: it’s messy, it’s complicated, and it’s beautifully human.
We’re trying to be everything to everyone - present parents, ambitious professionals, supportive daughters, and individual women with our own goals.
And you know what? That’s not just okay. It’s actually pretty remarkable.
So here’s my two cents on how to not just survive summer but actually grow through it:
Focus on what matters that day.
Let go of guilt.
Celebrate the small wins.
Some days, that’s being fully present with your kids.
Other days, it’s taking one bold step toward your professional self.
Most days, it’s a messy blend of both.
Give yourself permission to be imperfect.
Give yourself credit for showing up.
And remember… every small step, whether it's learning a new skill, making a connection, or simply surviving snack request #47 is laying the foundation for your future.
You’re not just surviving this summer. You’re evolving.
This season of challenge is also a season of growth for you and your family. Embrace the chaos. Celebrate the micro-milestones. And trust that you’re exactly where you need to be.
The best part? September’s coming.
You’ll have stories to tell. Skills you’ve gained.
And a deeper knowing of what you’re capable of.
Until then… give yourself grace.
Take it one day at a time.
And never forget:
Being a mom with big dreams isn’t a contradiction - it’s a superpower. 💪🏽
P.S. I’m Doing a Research Project - Want to Help?
As part of my return to full-time work (in user research & product/design strategy), I’m diving into a real-world user research project focused on the re-entry journeys of mothers - what helps, what hurts, and what still feels invisible in the process.
If you (or someone you know!) is a mom who’s either currently navigating a return to work or has re-entered the workforce after a career break of 1+ years, I’d love to chat.
Your story could help shape tools, resources, and narratives that make this path easier and more empowering for others.
👉🏽 Feel free to share this Calendly link with anyone who fits the bill. I’d be so grateful!