What I Learned From My Working Mom

"My mother has been an entrepreneur since I was a teenager—she owns her own food store, Better Health and Gourmet. My mother loves the field of nutrition and helping people change their lives for the better. She has spent the majority of her adult life doing just that—and has inspired me to do the same."

Shown with her mother, Patricia

"My parents separated when I was three years old, and my mother never shied away from working. She had a good job at the time and worked any hours they needed her. She taught me by example what it is to have great work ethic. I thank her for showing me how to appreciate a good job, to work hard, and to strive for more."

Shown with her mother, Yvonne

"My mom started working when I was ten. She taught me how to multi-task, stay focused and plan ahead. I don't know how she does it: She works fulltime and then comes home and makes dinner, does laundry—but she also delegates, by having my dad do grocery shopping, things like that. She taught me about delegating when I was trying to do everything myself at work, and now I assign things out to my team."

Shown with her mother, Karen

"When my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, my mom went back to school where she earned her BS and gained her RN certificate (I was four at the time). From her I've learned it's never too late to improve yourself every day. We may have had less time with her growing up, but she still taught us how to bake, how to sew, even how to change our own car tires and oil. My mom taught me that women are strong, and nothing can stop you from achieving your goals."

Shown with her mother, Melissa (right)

"My mom was a single, working mom all throughout my childhood and she taught me that talking was simply the best way to make everything work. Once she was home, it was all about the two of us. My mom made dinner while I sat at the counter and told her about my day. Then we sat down at the table to eat and talk some more. I told her everything and she told me everything. She didn't take work home and we didn't just sit in front of the TV. We talked. A lot. And we still talk—a lot!"

Shown with her mother, Willa

"One thing I learned from this amazing woman was juggling time. Life doesn't have to overwhelm you if you do little bits often. Before work, you start a load of laundry and take a pound of hamburger out of the freezer. When you get home, the clothes go in the dryer and just about anything goes with hamburger. By the end of the week, you've done four or five loads of laundry and the dinner menu could have traveled from down-home style gravy and noodles to Mexican or Italian."

Shown with her mother, Ruth

"My mom was a full-time career waitress. From her I learned how to be passionate about what you do and do it with excellence. My mom, now mid-50s, is asked to speak on radio talk shows about the food and customer service industry. Clearly being a waitress is not going to make you a millionaire, but Mom was in the industry because she loved her job and she was off in time to be with me when I got home from school."

Shown with her mother, Lynn

"The most important thing that I learned from my mother was that I could have a fulfilling career and wonderful family life, too. She always told me to find a husband who cooks, which I did, coincidentally. What this really taught me was to look for a potential partner who would share household responsibilities."

Shown with her mother, Kathy

"My mom is a licensed EMT and worked for all of my childhood as an in-home health care provider for the elderly. She dealt with sickness, dementia and sadness on a daily basis—and she never complained. She had—and still has—this attitude of 'that's life.' That's an attitude I try to take with me, because it's true; even when it sucks, well, that's life. And part of life is sickness, old age and death."

Shown with her mother, Viola

"I learned that no matter how busy you get working, make it a priority to have dinner as a family every night. That way, you can talk about your day, bond and grow together."

Shown with her mother, Rima

"When I was in high school, my mom went back to school to earn a teaching credential, something she had wanted to do for years. As I watched her struggle with the entrance exams, homework and change of routine, I became responsible for driving my brother places, starting dinner and making sure the house was in order—on top of my after-school job at a local restaurant and homework. But it was worth watching my mom achieve her goal. My mom is happier than she ever has been teaching her class of fourth graders, and I know my sacrifices and lessons have led her to this point in her life."

Shown with her mother, Michele

"My father died when I was six. My mother had to go to work full-time—and raise four kids. I learned that you should always be able to take care of yourself and not to dwell on things that are out of your control."

Shown with her mother, Joan

"My mom divorced when I was four years old. When I grew up, all my friends' moms were stay-at-home and while at times it was difficult because I felt different, my mom taught me if I wanted something I could get it by working hard for it—and I got to the top of my field. As an adult I am deeply grateful for my working mom. She's my hero, my inspiration and my best friend.

Pictured with her mother, Irene

"My mom worked my entire childhood, but the biggest lesson that comes to mind is after my dad broke his leg and (because of infections and surgeries) was unable to walk or work for two years. My mother took up the slack and worked 16-hour days usually six to seven days a week to make sure that we were taken care of. It taught me what true love is: Not emotion or words, but the willingness to sacrifice whatever you need in order to make sure someone else is cared for."

Shown with her mother, Stacey