Celebrating women like my mom for Women’s History Month #sponsored

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by our sponsor Boise Paper. They provided me with compensation in exchange for sharing my own thoughts. Photos shared within the post are my own. However, the “Top 10 Tips for Working Moms” graphic was graciously provided by our sponsor.

I’m extremely fortunate that I’m able to work from home. I decided to do so years ago when my daughter was just a baby. I didn’t want to put her in daycare and have someone else see her do all of her firsts. I wanted to be there for those moments.

In addition, I had also read a lot of daycare horror stories, and I didn’t want to put my baby’s well-being in the hands of another. Had something happened to her, I never would have been able to live with myself.

So here I am, around when my kids need me. I’m my own boss, and I love what I do. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I focused on what I wanted to accomplish, and I did it. The path was rocky sometimes, but I didn’t give up, and now I’m doing something I love, and not everyone can say that.

Growing up my parents set a very strong lead for me and my brother to follow. Both of my parents were hard workers, often working separate shifts so one of them was always home with us. Me&Parents

My mom not only worked and took care of our family, she was also there to help my grandfather when he needed transportation to and from his appointments while he was still living on his own and going through dialysis several times per week. It was a lot on her, but she never complained.

My mom began working at a very early age to support herself. She began living on her own at 16 with her sister, and they both worked full-time. My mom was never one to take the easy way out. She didn’t have a college education, but she didn’t let it hold her back and eventually found herself managing several companies over the years even when her back problems were at their worst and she could barely move. My mom would grit her teeth and push through. There were times I saw her cry at work and still stay, even though she was in excruciating pain. Mom&I

I hope as my daughter grows she sees the examples my mother and I have set for her and follows suit. I hope she works hard and doesn’t let complications hold her back. I hope she believes enough in herself to never give up and keep pushing forward, even if the cards are stacked against her.

March is Women’s History Month, and there are many women out there to look up and aspire to be like. Women who get up every day and work their butts off in fields that are predominantly male to prove they can do the same jobs just as well, if not better.

Women who go home after a long, trying day at work and still have homes and families to take care of. Their jobs don’t end the moment they walk out their door. If they’re lucky they can go to bed by 10 p.m. If they’re like me, they lie in bed at night thinking about all the things they still need to, unable to shut down the turning wheels in their heads.

So I want to take a moment to celebrate and acknowledge all of those women who work hard every day. Not just the ones who go to work, but those who work hard at home to take care of their families and make sure all their needs are met and often times exceeded. I admire each and every one of you for all that you do.

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