11 Reasons Why I'm Glad I Was Raised by a Working Mom

1. It's inspirational. From a young age, girls find out about the difficulties women can have making it in the professional world. It's inspiring to see women who rise above that—and no more than when it is your mom who is crushing stereotypes.

2. Your babysitter is the older sister you've always wanted. Having a full-time babysitter for the first decade or so of my life meant that I was able to develop a close relationship with a woman I'll forever cherish. Having her in my childhood didn't make my relationship with mom any less strong, but rather gave me an even greater web of women who loved and cared about me and who I could turn to for advice.

3. My mom will have a life without me. Yes, my mom was sad when I left for college 700 miles away from home. But, I've never had to worry about my mom being lonely—a concern I commonly hear from friends whose moms ditched their careers for their families. For many stay-at-home moms, the end high school meant that they're suddenly faced with a lot less to do.

4. Boredom isn't the only thing to worry about. For moms who "opted-out" when they had kids and are now looking to reenter the professional world, it can be a challenge. The job market is hard enough. And unfortunately, age discrimination exists. Getting back into an industry you left eighteen years ago is near impossible. When your mom never left the workforce, you don't have to worry about that added stress in your family dynamic.

5. It made me a stronger woman. Being raised by a woman who believed in gender equality in the workforce without a doubt rubbed off and helped shape me into the feminist that I am today. My mother has always taught me never to let anyone, male or female, make you think that your gender should hold you back.

6. She gives great advice. When I'm sending a networking email or making a big career choice, my mom is the first person I'll call. She knows first-hand what makes a great cover letter, what will be a red flag to a hiring manager, or how to maneuver a sticky situation at work.

7. It gave me drive. Anyone is capable of some serious hustle. Butseeing my mother, my ultimate female role model, as a working woman who was passionate about her career, instilled in me at a young age the importance of finding something you love. In my mind, not working, or not pursuing a career was never an option.

8. Our time together was even more special. While my mom made a serious effort to be as present and involved as a stay-at-home mother during my childhood, as a woman with a full-time job, she understandably couldn't be there everyday when I got home from school. This didn't make me bitter, but just made me more excited to hear her clacking heels signaling her arrival home for dinner, or greet her after she'd come home from a business trip (naturally, with a small little something in tow for me).

9. It was a lot more difficult for my mom to be a helicopter parent. Of course, not all stay-at-home moms are hovering parents, and there are working moms who hover like it is their (second) job. But when your mom has a bustling life of her own, it is harder for her to nitpick every last thing. She focuses on the important stuff, like college applications, major tests, and even bigger breakups, instead of nagging me over my daily grind--it made me learn responsibility and see the end goal.

10. Having a working mom will never hurt your relationship (if you don't let it). Just like many others, my mother is one of my best friends. She's been employed my whole life, but that hasn't stopped her from being at the forefront of all my childhood memories, my adolescent awkwardness, and every major milestone from dance recitals to college graduation.

11. I'm proud of my mom. I respect my mother because she chose to stay in a career that interested and challenged her. That's not to say that stay-at-home moms don't deserve respect, because they're job is as equally challenging. But, as Miranda Hobbs said in Sex and the City 2, "Sometimes, as much as I love Brady, being a mother just isn't enough. I miss my job." I'm glad my mom has a career she's passionate about because it inspires me to pursue a career of my own.

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