Can I still have a job I love and be a good Mum

02/07/25 • 30 min

On this week's episode of The Imperfect Mum, I'm joined by Sally Mady from Coaching For Balance. Sally is a Ambitious Mum's coach dedicated to supporting mums to find what lights them up and to break the cycle of people pleasing. In this episode, we explore the importance of understanding your WHY and finding space for both yourself and your family. We also discuss strategies for prioritising your to-do list, working in tune with your energy, and cultivating more self-compassion in your daily life.

Takeaways
Ambition can be defined in various areas of life, not just career.
Understanding your 'why' is crucial for motivation.
The Wheel of Life helps assess balance in different life areas.
Cultural perspectives can shape our views on parenting and success.
Self-reflection during lockdown led to personal growth for many.
Self-development is a journey that can transform lives.
Teaching kids independence is essential for their growth.
Time management requires prioritization and flexibility.
Building a support network is vital for busy moms.
Self-compassion is key to managing motherhood stress.

Chapters
00:00 Navigating Motherhood and Emotional Challenges
02:08 Defining Ambition and Success
04:25 Understanding Your Why
06:59 Sally's Journey into Coaching
09:21 Cultural Expectations and Personal Growth
11:29 The Impact of Lockdown on Self-Reflection
14:25 The Power of Daily Reflection
15:32 Finding Balance in Parenting
17:59 Control and Influence in Parenting
19:55 The Importance of Community Support
23:02 Time Management Strategies for Busy Moms
28:22 Embracing Flexibility and Self-Compassion

You can find Sally on Instagram here: @coaching.for.balance

Subscribe to my mailing list here for inspirational ideas and tools to help this season feel like the best one yet. You can also find me on Instagram here; @natashanyeketherapy & @the.imperfectmum
If you loved this episode, please subscribe and share, it helps me to help even more Mums find their joy. Find out how you can work with me at; www.natashanyeke.com

You can find Sally on Instagram here: @coaching.for.balance

Previous Episode

How Your Childhood Shapes Your Parenting (and How to Break Free from Perfectionism)

How much of your parenting is shaped by your own childhood? In this episode, I dive into how perfectionism shows up in motherhood, why self-compassion is essential, and how letting go of guilt can help you feel more present and connected with your children.

Takeaways:

We carry the weight of our childhood experiences into parenting.
Self-compassion is key to avoiding burnout.
Modeling imperfection helps children build resilience.
Open conversations about feelings strengthen parent-child connections.
Presence matters more than perfection.
Finding balance means releasing guilt and unrealistic expectations.
Mistakes in parenting can lead to valuable lessons for children.
Joyful family rituals create lasting connections.
The 80-20 rule can help manage expectations and reduce overwhelm.

Listen now and take the first step toward a calmer, more confident motherhood. 🎧
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections
00:59 The Imperfect Motherhood Journey
02:46 Finding Balance in Parenting Styles
04:33 The Weight of Parenting Expectations
07:15 Childhood Influences on Parenting Styles
09:42 The Pressure to Overcompensate
12:48 Finding Balance in Parenting
15:28 Accepting Imperfection in Parenting
18:21 Tools for Letting Go of Perfectionism
20:30 Navigating Parenting Challenges
23:15 Creating Joyful Rituals and Self-Compassion
26:26 Modeling Imperfection and Realism in Parenting
29:51 The Myth of the Perfect Parent
31:57 Mum Reset: Finding Support and Accountability

Next Episode

When Gentle Parenting Feels Impossible: Handling Guilt & Repair

When They Refuse, When They Break Things & When We Get It Wrong

Ever feel like parenting just got harder? Like the things that used to work suddenly don’t anymore? SAME. Gentle parenting felt so much easier when my kids were little, but now my 7-year-old is testing independence, and I’ve realised—I need to level up my parenting skills.

In this episode, I’m sharing: Where I’ve been getting it wrong with my 7-year-old (and what I’m doing differently) Why taking her iPad away for four days after refusing swimming was NOT the answer How control plays a huge role in kids’ behaviour —and how to work with it instead of against it Why public meltdowns feel so much harder (hello, embarrassment!) and what I wish I’d done differently The surprising ways ChatGPT has helped me reframe tricky parenting moments Why we don’t need to be perfect to be amazing mums (seriously, let’s stop putting that pressure on ourselves)

If you’ve ever found yourself in a power struggle, reacting instead of responding, or just feeling like you’re getting it all wrong—this episode is for you. Let’s talk about what’s actually working, what we can let go of, and how we can parent in a way that feels good (for them AND us).

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 - When Parenting Feels Harder Than It Used To
32:09 - New Strategies for Parenting Older Kids
32:20 - How to Handle Power Struggles Without Losing Your Mind
38:19 - Why You Don’t Need to Be a Perfect Mum

TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE

Gentle parenting isn’t about letting them do whatever they want—it’s about understanding what they need. Consequences need to match the situation—not be random punishments. (Looking at you, ‘no iPad for four days’ ) Control is a big deal for kids. When they push back, it’s usually about needing some sense of control over their lives. Public meltdowns feel harder because we feel judged. We need to remind ourselves—our child’s behaviour is NOT a reflection of our worth as a parent. Modelling emotional regulation is key. If we want them to handle big feelings well, we have to show them how it’s done. ChatGPT has actually helped me be a better parent. (No, really. It’s like having a therapist in my pocket when I need a fresh perspective.) Every parenting challenge is a chance to grow. We’ve never parented a 7-year-old before. Next year, we’ll be figuring out how to parent an 8-year-old. The learning never stops. Mistakes don’t make us bad parents. What matters is how we repair and move forward.

LET’S CONNECT!

Feeling stuck in motherhood? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Join me inside ‘Finding You’ – my coaching programme for mums who feel like they’ve lost themselves in motherhood and want to start living for themselvesagain. If you’re ready to feel calmer, more confident, and actually enjoy parenting without the pressure of getting it all right, this is for you. Need a quick reset? My Finding You Reset is perfect if you’re feeling overwhelmed and need to take a step back, refocus, and reconnect with yourself—not just as a mum, but as you. DM me on Instagram @the.imperfecttherapist @natashanyeketherapy and let’s chat about how I can support you! Or head to www.natashanyeke.com to learn more. If this episode resonated with you, let me know! Comment, review, or tag me on Instagram! And if you found this helpful, share it with a mum who needs this reminder today. You don’t have to be perfect to be a great mum. You just need to keep showing up.