What it’s like growing up with a working mom

When I grew up I wanted to be the President of the United States. Usually when I told adults they would chuckle and say, good luck! But, my mom never doubted me. It was always real to her. Because of that, it was real to me. She would tell me the steps I needed to take, helped me research former presidents, and learn as much as I could about U.S history and politics. That’s what it was like growing up with a feminist mom.

While growing up, my mom was always in high power business positions. She was always a senior VP of some company and, through her example, she was always reminding me exactly what women are capable of. Some people would think that growing up with a working mom is detrimental, like some kind of burden I had to live with. But, my mom taught me life lessons that I live by to this day. She taught me how to be outspoken, how to be a woman in the business world and how to be independent.

I didn’t realize the effect she had on me until I was older. It was the little things that made the difference to me. She made me feel as though no dream was too out of reach, women could do anything men could do , and this unwavering belief in me and my talents.

I learned how to be independent at a young age and learned valuable life skills. While most kids my age were doing scripture study on Monday nights with their families, my mom was teaching me how to build excel spreadsheets, mock interviews and learning how to buy, trade and sell stock. When I was 8 years old she decided to let each of us kids choose a company to put our stock into. We did our own research and chose our companies. She didn’t question our decisions but rather just trusted in us. I chose Apple.

People tend to judge working mothers harshly, but growing up with a single mom was the best thing for our family. She raised me to be a feminist without ever saying the word feminist. She taught me to be soft and loving, but also how to be resilient and strong. The most important thing she taught me was the importance of an education.

In Utah, it feels like most girls are attending university to meet someone to marry, instead of getting an education. Women tend to pick jobs based on how easily it will work with their future family, instead of choosing what they really want to do. Women should get an education, even if you’re married. You never know what life is going to throw at you. My mom never planned on her career, but when unexpected circumstances left her a single mother, she did what she could.

Even if you are getting a degree as a back-up plan, get a degree. Choose what you’re interested in and things will work out. An education is the best tool you can have, so get one. That’s what I learned from having such a hardworking, diligent single mother.