Finding Your Career-Minded Mom Tribe | Pros&Babes
“I missed the adult conversations on mat leave.”
“I felt judged in other moms’ groups because I like my job/I’m working on mat leave/I’m going back to work early.”
“I’m concerned about how becoming a mom will impact my career.”
Photo | Nicole Constate
“I missed the adult conversations on mat leave.”
“I felt judged in other moms’ groups because I like my job/I’m working on mat leave/I’m going back to work early.”
“I’m concerned about how becoming a mom will impact my career.”
That’s why Pros&Babes is here - for moms who feel this way.
It all started at 4 A.M. on a cold October morning. I was jet-lagged from a trip to Europe with my three-month old baby during my first mat leave. He was sleeping and I was exceptionally awake.
Photo | Nicole Constate
One Evenbrite event and a (cheesy) Google page later, Pros&Babes - which offers cohort-style discussion, learning and support programs for career-minded moms - was born.
After this initial experiment, which started in 2017, Pros&Babes continues offering programming for moms on mat leave, a peer mentorship program for working moms and fun meetups for fathers and kids.
As I wait for baby #2 (due on Labour Day - he could come any moment!) I know the old normal will soon be replaced by new chaos and my #momboss thoughts might change completely. But -- here we go! In completely random order.
Photo | Nicole Constate
One of my favourite concepts learned throughout this adventure is “integration”. It’s much more apt and accurate than the concept of work/life balance. Becoming a mom makes us a better professional, and we take what we learn from work and become better parents - we integrate. But balance? It rarely all feels balanced in the short term!
Having a tribe of like-minded moms, who cherish their careers, is simply amazing. Thanks to them, I’ve personally never felt judged for being passionate about my community and my work. Through Pros&Babes, I’ve met some of the most fabulous women in Edmonton.
A couple of resources I love to share with moms on mat leave:
Work, Pause, Thrive (a nice one for entrepreneurs)
Birthing is hard. Parenting is hard. It all transforms you in such a profound way. Take the time and the support you need to process this enormous life transition. And don’t be afraid to get professional help where and when you need it.
Thank goodness for experts. We’ve worked with specialists from the US to Australia to South Africa for sleep, allergies and eczema. Sometimes you just can’t read ten books and become an expert on the topic. Hiring one will save you time, sanity, and money! (I cannot stress how much Dr. Aron helped us with eczema. After months of struggling to relieve our son’s suffering, he helped us, online, within a matter of days.)
Black bean brownies are a miracle (and gluten-free). My son is allergic to eggs, nuts, and dairy, and this recipe gave me the chance to treat him while nourishing him.
Our family recently discovered the Free Forest School of Edmonton. We love how our son explores nature in the company of other kids and are excited to attend more often.
Sending buckets of gratitude, gratitude and more gratitude for the amazing women I’ve met on this adventure! Some of them have really gone above and beyond to help me keep going with Pros&Babes when my son was little and when I went back to work to my full-time job. A special shout-out to two #mombosses: Charlene, a P&B facilitator, and Johnna, a dementia specialist and also a tremendous P&B supporter.
Entrepreneurship and figuring out what works and what doesn’t often feels like looking for a needle in a haystack. And like a crazy roller-coaster. Especially for a business like mine, that’s developing alongside two little wonderful human beings and other professional activities.
Thank you, YEGBOSSBABES, for creating this community in which we can learn, grow, and support each other!
Random Thoughts From A #Momboss | Alli Mackenzie - Lifestyle Liaison
Hello #Mompreneurs! I see you there, hustling day in day out, doing your very best to balance it all. And I’m here to remind you that You’ve Got This! Some days will be hard AF and others will flow like an abundant brook; and maybe today is somewhere in the middle, but it’s ALL worth it because you’re living in your purpose.
Photo | Deanna C Photography
Hello #Mompreneurs! I see you there, hustling day in day out, doing your very best to balance it all. And I’m here to remind you that You’ve Got This! Some days will be hard AF and others will flow like an abundant brook; and maybe today is somewhere in the middle, but it’s ALL worth it because you’re living in your purpose.
I’m Alli MacKenzie, Lifestyle Liaison, Reiki Master Teacher and Cofounder of Leading Ladies, a supportive community leading Women to success in Life & Business. I’m a multitasking Mompreneur to a beautiful baby boy, Hunter, and wife to my supportive rock, Matt. I Empower Women to break-free from limiting beliefs, trust their intuition and create the lifestyle they desire. I offer online Holistic Lifestyle Coaching for Women, Reiki Healing Treatments, Reiki Practitioner Training and Wellness Workshops. You can learn more about me here (www.allimackenzie.ca)!
Photo | Deanna C Photography
In the meantime, I’d like to share 5 encouraging thoughts with you ☺
A Great Day Starts the Night Before
Okay Mommas, I’m sure you know the drill: clean up after supper, pack lunches, help with homework and pick clothes for the next day; along with any other tasks that happen to arise! Well, the same goes for you! Before you go to sleep, set your intention(s) for the following day. Think about your goals, your priorities, and your “to do” list. Then…pick your outfit! I’ve spent countless mornings in my closet, standing dumbfounded and half asleep, wondering how on earth I’m going to piece something together. Take 5 minutes the night before and save yourself 15 in the morning! You just might have time to grab a java after dropping off the Littles!
Start Your Day With a Little Play
What does your alarm sound like? Have you chosen the obnoxious siren to abruptly wake you from your dream state? Maybe you prefer a more gentle song to wake you. Personally, I wake to the sound of an iconic angel singing: Phil Collins; and you betcha it’s, “In the Air Tonight.” I like to start my morning with a feel-good song that encourages a playful mood for the rest of the day. What’s your fave feel-good tune?
You’re 70% Water; Therefore, You’re as Powerful as the Ocean
I know you’ve heard it before and it’s true! Your cells, your organs, your brain, it’s all made of water; and oxygen, and carbon, and protons and neutrons. Where am I going with this? DRINK YOUR EFFING WATER! Your body needs it to function on a daily basis. Plus, your little monkeys will see and then your little monkeys will do, too! That now brings us to the powerful part. You have an influence on everyone you come into contact with, so spread love and kindness everywhere you go.
Learn from Your Faux Pas
It’s okay to be imperfect. It’s okay to say “no” to others in order to say “yes” to yourself. It’s okay to “figure it out as you go.” It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to be You. Life is about living and that requires us to step out of our comfort zone. We’ve all experienced our fair share of poopy situations – and I’m not just talking diapers here. People have let us down. We’ve been fed false truths. We’ve made choices we weren’t proud of but that’s living, Baby. The silver lining: you can learn from those experiences and create the lifestyle you desire.
Turn on the Tap and Bask in Some Epsom Salts…& Gratitude
It’s okay if you’re not a bath person, neither am I. I used to be but then I became a Momma and realized that I get more bang for my buck with a nice hot shower. The piece that must remain constant is Gratitude. Wow. It really is powerful stuff. The key is to feel into the gratitude as opposed to simply listing items off as you would a grocery list. Here’s an example to give you some guidance. When I’m feeling thankful for my Son, Hunter, I imagine he and I sharing a big hug then I feel the love deep in my heart. Okay, your turn!
Photo | Deanna C Photography
YEGBOSSBABES hosts everything from vision board workshops to holiday mixers to seminars with award-winning women entrepreneurs—“yegsperts,” as they’re called. They also have a membership program. Perks include a space on the YBB directory page (a beautifully-designed online database of women-run businesses in Edmonton), event discounts, and professional headshots.