In honor of Mother’s Day, we reached out to the incredible moms at AIS, inviting them to share their insights on balancing the intricate dance of work and life, how AIS lends its support and the cherished rewards of motherhood they hold dear. See their stories below and join us in celebrating these remarkable women.
Jackie, Subcontracts Manager
The most effective strategy I have found for balancing work and life is good communication and planning. My kids are 11 and 5, so if I have work during time when I’m normally available to my family, I let them know and plan ahead of time. Likewise, if I have a family commitment during working hours or a limitation on a certain day, I make sure it’s in my outlook calendar and I communicate with my team in advance. I try to be fully present wherever I am and to give the people I’m with my undivided attention. I make efforts to take care of myself (sleep, water/nutrition, exercise) so that I have energy and focus for days that have non-stop demands.
Flexible hours and remote working have been a game changer. I’m also blessed with both an amazing boss who understands the drill and an awesome team who backs me up. I make sure to provide support and understanding to others as well.
Motherhood is the craziest, most tiring and most expensive endeavor of my life, but I feel like my life truly began when my first child was born. Some mornings start with cleaning a teddy bear covered in vomit. Many evenings are spent playing hockey while giving friendship advice and laughing. The most rewarding aspect, by far, is giving and receiving unconditional love. My children are the legacy, hopefully of goodness, that I leave to the world.
JACKIE’S KIDS
Christiana, Program Manager
My strategy for balancing work and life is to keep fluid. As a mother of two birth children and one bonus son, “life be lifing”. I can have all the plans in the world, but I better have some flexibility and keep my mind open to the changes that may happen day-to-day. I have all boys who like to test the limits of life daily, so rolling with the punches has helped me deal with the pressures of it all. I schedule meetings after 9:30am to handle morning chaos, multitask during downtime and tackle work during their sleep.
I’m so thankful that I work for AIS because they value family and flexibility. AIS benefits and culture have made managing my responsibilities as a mother a bit easier. The 80% contributions to my HSA enabled me to easily pay for the thousands of dollars of uncovered costs of birthing my two children and being able to work remotely makes having a work/life balance possible for me.
The most rewarding aspects of being a mother are the kisses, cuddles, slobbers and words “I love you”. Better yet, is the way they love each other, since that love is an extension of the love they feel in the home. Mommy and daddy give them a comfortable and happy home to call their safe place.
CHRISTIANA’S KIDS
Maureen, Software Engineer II
Balancing work and life is no easy task, especially with so much going on all the time. I’m definitely a control freak, so I’ve had to learn to say no to things and prioritize work when I’m at work, and my home life when I’m home. My husband and I divide and concur the many, many sports events and I get to the housework when I can. I continually strive to be more present, and to do my best and forget the rest.
There’s no way I would have a functional life without AIS’s flex hours and the ability to work from home when I need to. My team is very supportive when I forget my kids only have a half day of school, or one of them gets sick and I need to stay home.
The most rewarding aspect of being a mom is the unconditional love and hugs. My kids are my whole world. I absolutely love watching them grow and learn and become their beautifully unique, funny and kind selves.
MAUREEN AND FAMILY
Lynette, HR Generalist
Balancing motherhood with work is all about having a support system and a solid routine. For me, it’s about building that village and finding time for self-care, because when mama’s happy, everyone’s happy!
At AIS, things like great health coverage, awesome managers and flexible work options make all the difference in managing work and family life.
As a mom, the most rewarding moments come when I see my kids embracing the values I’ve taught them. Now that I’m a ‘Gigi,’ I’m getting another chance to see those values in action and do even better this time around. And the love I have for my kids? That’s my superpower—it keeps me going through everything!
LYNETTE AND SON
Heidi, Senior Technical Writer
When my daughter came into the world, I found myself grappling with the uncertainty of returning to work post-leave. Opting out of traditional daycare added another layer of complexity, as I navigated the challenge of balancing a full-time job with being a hands-on mom. While we do have a nanny for most weekdays, there are still moments when I’m juggling it all. Fortunately, AIS has been incredibly supportive and understanding of my circumstances. Their flexibility has been a game-changer, allowing me to cherish the precious moments with my daughter, witnessing her growth and being there for every milestone. As I prepare to welcome another daughter into our family, I’m grateful for the work/life balance I’ve achieved and the opportunity to pursue my career with AIS.
HEIDI AND DAUGHTER
Heather, Program Analyst
My strategy for a work/life balance is planning. As a mother of three girls, we are constantly on the move between practices, games, dance classes, birthday parties, etc. We have a calendar where my husband and I add all our scheduled events which helps us to better manage our schedules and stay on track. This is truly a lifesaver for us! I love the fact that I am able to work from home and go into the office along with flexible hours. I also have a wonderful manager who is supportive and understanding when something comes up! Being a mother is the most amazing, chaotic experience all wrapped into one. I absolutely love being a mom and watching my girls grow into beautiful young women.
