21 Inspirational Working Mom Quotes To Turn Your Day Around

Inside: Need a little encouragement as a working mom – especially if you’re returning after maternity leave? Here are 21 inspirational quotes for moms who are struggling when returning to work or managing the day-to-day of working motherhood. These working mom quotes provide support and help you not feel alone.


Working mom life is the only mom life I know, and it’s a life I truly love.

I’m a working mom who manages daycare schedules and career coaching schedules.

I’m a working mom who manages meetings and manages to find the specific pair of Rudolph socks for “Crazy Sock Day” at school.

I love my kids and my career, so we have figured it out as a family. Working mom life works for us, and it continues to evolve as I work out of an office, out of my home office, or running in between birthday parties.

There are times this working mom life has gotten overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating though. That’s the honest truth.

And it’s in those times that it has been so helpful to hear from other moms who get it. That’s where the inspirational working mom quotes come in!


21 Inspirational Working Mom Quotes To Give You a Boost

If you are having a rough day trying to figure out how you are going to do it all, professionally and personally, these 21 inspirational working mom quotes will give you the boost you need.

They will cheer you on, remind you that you’re not alone, and provide you the inspiration and motivation to keep going after your goals at home and at work.

You’ve got this, mama. You’re a rockstar!

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Michelle Obama

Motherhood changes you, in such beautiful, inspiring, and motivating ways.

“For me, being a mother made me a better professional, because coming home every night to my girls reminded me what I was working for. And being a professional made me a better mother, because by pursuing my dreams, I was modeling for my girls how to pursue their dreams. ” – Michelle Obama


Tina Fey

The working mom quote I need to be tattooed somewhere. Tiny Fey gets it, we somehow do the impossible!

“I think every working mom probably feels the same thing. You go through big chunks of time where you’re just thinking, ‘This is impossible—oh, this is impossible.’ And then you just keep going and keep going, and you sort of do the impossible.” – Tina Fey


Catherine Reitman

Going after what you want is a form of self-love. Teach your kids about loving themselves by loving yourself.

Inspirational working mom quote - Catherine Reitman
Check out Catherine on Workin Moms on Netflix.

“We should go after our dreams and not be apologetic about it, but it’s scary. Whether you want to work or not, you have to do what makes you a fuller person. You have to love yourself.” – Catherine Reitman


Download 20 Working Mom Hacks to Make Life Easier and More Fun

Amal Clooney

This working motherhood business is challenging, let’s lift each other up.

Read more from Amal Clooney

“The worst thing that we can do as women is not stand up for each other, and this is something we can practice every day, no matter where we are and what we do — women sticking up for other women, choosing to protect and celebrate each other instead of competing or criticizing one another.” – Amal Clooney

Read More: 21 Strong Mother Quotes to Empower and Inspire


Sara Blakely

Say it louder for people in the back. Hire working moms!

Read more from Sara Blakely

“This struggle is real. The juggle is real. That’s why everyone should hire working mothers. They are put in crazy situations all the time and are forced to problem-solve. They are some of my most resourceful employees.” – Sara Blakely


Jane Seymour

A good friend once told me that one of the things she loves is “saying no” and this has been a powerful lesson for me. You need to choose what you are going to spend your time and energy on as a working mother.

Read more from Jane Seymour

“You cannot do everything at once, so find people you trust to help you. And don’t be afraid to say no.” – Jane Seymour


Download 20 Working Mom Hacks to Make Life Easier and More Fun

Shonda Rhimes

If pursuing your goals as a mother is what fills you up, then do it. Not just for your happiness, but for your kids. It’s a valuable gift.

Read more from Shonda Rhimes

“If I’m pursuing my goals, my kids are seeing me at my best. I am filled up, I am happy, I am not feeling empty, depleted, and therefore resentful about the fact that I’m missing out. I don’t want them to feel like I’ve sacrificed, I don’t want them to feel that burden. I always remember that a happy working woman is a happy mother.” – Shonda Rhimes


Katie Couric

Shed. That. Guilt. Mom guilt is ubiquitous, and we need to find ways to let it go so that we can fully live our lives.

“Get rid of the guilt. When you’re at one place, don’t feel bad that you’re not at work; when you’re at work, don’t feel bad that you’re not at home.” – Katie Couric


Serena Williams

Children change the game. Game, set, and match if you’ll pardon the pun. It’s not that our goals and dreams change, but our motivations and mindset do.

Read more from Serena Williams

“Knowing I’ve got this beautiful baby to go home to makes me feel like I don’t have to play another match. I don’t need the money or the titles or the prestige. I want them, but I don’t need them. That’s a different feeling for me.” – Serena Williams


Candace Alnaji

This is your motherhood journey and your career, no one else’s. You make the rules.

“You are not a bad mom because you go to work each day. Similarly, you are not a failure because you left your career altogether. Choices regarding work and family are personal – there is no one-size fits all method. Anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong.” – Candace Alnaji

Download 20 Working Mom Hacks to Make Life Easier and More Fun

Arianna Huffington

If your Type A like me, you enjoy a good plan. But as a working mother I’ve learned that I can’t control everything and that’s okay.

“The fastest way to break the cycle of perfectionism and become a fearless mother is to give up the idea of doing it perfectly – indeed to embrace uncertainty and imperfection.” – Arianna Huffington


Jill Churchill

A quote for all the hard-working moms out there – you are doing a great job.

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill


Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober

You don’t give up your right to be happy because you are a mother. Sure motherhood makes you incredibly happy too, but who says you can’t have more than one thing that makes you happy?

“A happy mother is a good mother, and if work makes you hum, your whole family sings along.” – Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober


Download 20 Working Mom Hacks to Make Life Easier and More Fun

Allison Pearson

Think about how much joy you can bringing into your family’s life by bringing joy to yours. It’s contagious, much like the flu. Remember to get hand sanitizer.

“It’s not wrong to be passionate about your career. When you love what you do, you bring that stimulation back to your family.” – Allison Pearson


Brene Brown

I this feeling of “half-ass” shame. As a working mother, there have been far too many time when I felt like I wasn’t doing anything right. But this mantra is perfect. “I am enough.”

Read more from Brene Brown

“When I first became a mother I suffered from serious ‘half-ass’ shame. I felt like I was mediocre at everything. I felt so stretched and so distracted (and exhausted). I said ‘Yes’ way too often in an effort to prove that I could do it all. I’ve worked so hard over the past decade to move from “What will people think” to ‘I am enough.'” – Brene Brown


Hoda Kotb

One of my favorite working mom quotes that sticks with me as I walk out the door to do work I love. We’re leading by example.

“I want her to know something that I feel is important. I love work. I love her and I love work, and I want her to know work’s a good thing. It’s not something you’re dragged off to.” – Hoda Kotb


Download 20 Working Mom Hacks to Make Life Easier and More Fun

Denise Richards

One of my favorite working mom hacks, let it go. It’s not going to be perfect, and that’s okay.

“I think moms put a lot of pressure on ourselves trying to balance it all. It’s never going to be perfectly balanced – the sooner you know this, the sooner you can relieve some of the pressure you put on yourself.” – Denise Richards


Kerri Walsh Jennings

Great reframing of the balance and juggle, it’s a challenge to take on! As working moms we can take this challenge together.

“The balancing act of motherhood and a career, and being a wife, is something that I don’t think I’ll ever perfect, but I love the challenge of it.” – Kerri Walsh Jennings


Kate Winslet

Everything that needs to get done, will get done. You can do this!

“There’s something really empowering about going, “Hell, I can do this! I can do this all!” That’s the wonderful thing about mothers, you can because you must, and you just do.” – Kate Winslet

Read More: 21 Strong Mother Quotes to Empower and Inspire


Mindy Kaling

It’s okay to ask for help! And you don’t need to be a celebrity to outsource, there are cost-effective and free ways to make it all work!

“I’m learning to feel better about asking for help, whether it’s from family or hiring help. It’s no profound but I love my career and I don’t want to make myself feel bad about pursuing both. Just cutting myself some slack has been very helpful for me.” – Mindy Kaling


Becca Carnahan

Do what works best for you and your family, and don’t be afraid to change as your needs and interests change.

Inspirational working mom quote - Becca Carnahan
Read more from Becca Carnahan

“Life happens. Our interests change. What matters to us can shift and evolve with circumstance, age, and growth. We need to honor that, be flexible, and be true to ourselves. Making changes in our careers and lives is just that – change. It doesn’t mean throwing anything away.” – Becca Carnahan



Take These Inspirational Working Mom Quotes and Go Do You!

The big takeaways?

You’re doing great, mama.

Stay your course.

Shed the guilt.

Pin these inspirational working mom quotes to your “I’m Amazing!” Pinterest board and go back to them often. You really are amazing, and I’m right here cheering you on!

And before we go, one more thought courtesy of Jane Sellman:

“The phrase ‘working mother’ is redundant.” – Jane Sellman

Whether moms are working inside the home or outside the home, for a paycheck or not, we are all working crazy hard. So let’s do it together!


How to Land a Fulfilling Job You Love Without Giving Up the Flexibility You Need
Hosted by  Becca Carnahan

Read More Working Mom Quotes and Motherhood Posts:

21 Strong Mother Quotes to Empower and Inspire

The Return to Work after Maternity Leave – Real Moms Give Their Best Advice

Time-Saving Tips for Working Moms: 10 Ways to Get 10 Hours Back in Your Week


When Mommy Grows Up

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