iStock.com/Choreograph
iStock.com/Choreograph

Wondering how other parents cope with the joys and challenges of motherhood? We talked to mom Brianna Nadelberg about trying to balance work and home life, all while staying personally fulfilled.

Brianna Nadelberg lives in Lexington with son Alexander, 6, and daughter Stella, 3. She is the director of development at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence.

created at: 2010-04-23What’s the most challenging aspect of being a mom with a full-time job outside the home?

Balancing all of the responsibilities and expectations that I have for myself and that others have for me. Wanting to give 100 percent at work and at home, but recognizing that isn’t usually realistic and coming to terms with the fact that it’s OK.

How do you find balance and fulfillment in the varying components of your life?

I try very hard to be “at work” when I am at work, and be “at home” when I am at home. I aim to be present in the moment and to enjoy both aspects of my life, which together make me feel valued, respected and fulfilled. I work as a fundraiser for an organization that focuses on creating healthy relationships and families, and our leadership believes that goes for the staff as well. Finding a job and an organization that truly understands and respects work-life balance has been a wonderful addition to my life. It allows me to feel less guilty when work life comes into the home and when my personal life comes into my work day. I also have a husband who is extremely involved in my children’s lives, and willingly participates in school drop-off/pick-up and with household responsibilities. He also respects and supports the fact that my work is very important to me and plays a big part in shaping who I am as a person and a mom.

What advice can you give to other working parents with newborns?

My children are 6 and 3, so it’s been a few years since I have had an infant. However, one of the best pieces of advice I received was to expect that returning to work with an infant was going to be hard; there would be days that would be awful, days when everything would feel overwhelming and days when all you want to do is cry. But it gets easier, and over time you find balance and feel very gratified. This has been true for me.

What would be the most meaningful Mother’s Day gift you could receive?

A yummy breakfast in bed with my kids and husband, a pedicure and then some alone time puttering in my garden.

To read what three other moms had to say, click here.