In our recent trip to Peru, we had the opportunity to do social work in a
community of underprivileged families. My kids learned so much and were
able to realize how lucky they are.
Yes, I have been absent many times, but when I see my kids taking charge
and imitating what I do –like trying to make jewelry and sell it– or simply giving
it away as a gift, trying to invite me an ice cream, or simply concern because there
was an underprivileged kid who was not going to receive clothes, it makes me
feel I have been teaching them life lessons.
Maricela Huerta
Co-Founder
The Twins PR
Since having a baby, my heart has
been full, but so has my calendar!
As a Latina, we want to be
everything to everybody. As a
Latina mom, we want to be the
ones raising our children. As a
Latina mom and entrepreneur, we
want to do all of the above while
being a boss lady in the workplace.
How can one person do all of
that when there are only 24 hours
in a day? Trying to find the answer
(and the energy) to tackle that
question has been the biggest
challenge of my life!
LS
Maricela with her son Leo and
husband Jose Blanco.
Not to mention, I would also love some “Me Time" other than hitting the
gym or taking long showers just so I can be alone for a little while.
I have learned to say “Yes” to help and “No” to commitments that I feel are
not worth the little energy I have left.
Most importantly, I've learned that I might not be able to do multiple things
at a 100% simultaneously, but with some help and time management I can try
to be my very best for my son, my family and my business.
Fortunately, The Twins PR, a public relations firm my twin and I launched in
2017, has grown each year. We provide media outreach, social media and event
planning services to clients in Washington, D.C., New York and California.
Therefore, we frequently travel throughout the country.
When I’m not traveling, I work from home. I always thought I could take
care of a baby while running a business, especially since I worked from home
more often than not. Wow, was I wrong! Try writing a press release for a client
while a baby continuously yells, “Mamamamamama….!” Honestly, I love him
saying mama, but mama needs to focus when she works.
Can a woman do it all? Yes, with a strong support system. Thankfully, I am
one of the lucky ones that has a small village made up of family and friends that
help my husband, who is also an entrepreneur, and I.
Whether it be babysitting, occasionally checking in to see how we are
handling parenthood, or stepping up to manage more of the business so we can
tend to family time, it all helps tremendously.
Motherhood, especially while managing a business, has been my greatest
accomplishment. Hopefully one day my son will say, “My mama always held it
down.”
Monica Estrada Nuñez
Government Relations Senior Advisor
Southern California Edison (SCE)
After having my two daughters,
Miranda and Arianna, life changed
for me in different ways. I became
more focused on raising two
strong, intelligent, kind and loving
children instead of solely on my
career. My priorities shifted, as
they often do when one matures
and learns that success can mean
many things at different times in
life. I take great pride in my
professional life but have learned
that timing is everything.
Prior to having children I
was focused on climbing the
corporate ladder. I had received
Monica with daughters Miranda
my undergraduate degree from
and Arianna.
UCLA, a Masters in Public
Administration from NYU and happily joined the corporate world. I was the
first to go to college in my family. I felt a need to succeed. I was driven. I
worked late, came into the office early, produced great work, built a
sisterhood of networks, and served on a non profit board. I was sure I would
be able to juggle it all. After all, I was an educated, strong Latina. Then,
reality set in very quickly. Having two daughters thirteen months apart was
an eye opener.
I can laugh now but the early days of motherhood were tough. I am
fortunate that I have family support and a husband who shared in the
responsibility. I believe moms who work can do both. Sometimes it all works
out but sometimes something has to give. Yes, we can be successful at
work and be great mothers. A support network is crucial and being able to
ask for help is also very important. We can't do it all. Its a myth. No one can.
Men aren't expected to do it all, but, often as women we ask too much of
ourselves at a high cost - health issues, mental health issues, chronic
fatigue, etc.
Further, we all have to make decisions on what are our priorities are
for us at any given stage in our lives. Priorities change. Demands shift as
children get older. We as women in the professional world change as well.
We can have it all just not all at the same time.
Being a new mom was scary and taxing. I was tired and worried I would
fail somehow. Being a mother and a professional at the same time really
calibrated my thinking. I grew a greater appreciation for my parents and
especially my mother. I think about all the love and hard work that went into
raising four children.
The profound love, the pain, the fear, as a mother is all too real. What
I have learned after 12 wonderful years as a mother is that moms can do
their jobs well and still be wonderful mothers. We fall. We get back up. We
learn.
Understanding that sometimes success can't be attained all at the
same time is the key. Being kind to yourself and self-care is so important.
What has changed for me is that I am kinder to myself. I enjoy the journey
LS
28 www. lat inastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol . 25, No. 2, 2019
/www.latinastyle.com
