If you’ve ever tried potty training a toddler, it’s messy, unpredictable, and full of surprises.
But what I didn’t expect was how this parenting milestone would mirror my own recent journey navigating a career readjustment.
Let’s rewind a little.
My Daughter’s First Try: A Big Weekend for a Little Girl
I had delayed potty training my daughter — not because she wasn’t ready. Because I wasn’t.
A part of me held on to her baby stage just a little longer.
But then came this weekend.
She decided on her terms to give potty training her first go. Some hits, some misses but for a first attempt? She was amazing.
And then, just like that, she dropped her bedtime bottle too.
Two major milestones, in one weekend.
Too much, too soon, for a mama’s heart to handle.
She’s growing up — whether I’m ready or not.
Meanwhile, I Was Navigating My Own Career Change
Around the same time, I found myself in the thick of a career reset.
After more than 12 years at the same company, I made the difficult decision to take a break — to protect my team from further layoffs.
I was torn. Should I save myself, or shield my people — the ones who trusted my leadership for nearly a decade?
Why wasn’t the company’s leadership investing in us? Why were we left to fend for ourselves?
I felt everything: anger, confusion, grief, guilt.
As a working mom, I’ve always prided myself on keeping things moving — in work and life.
So when the structure crumbled, I found myself in that all-too-familiar spiral: What now?
How Potty Training Paralleled My Career Pivot
Then it hit me: I was being potty trained too — metaphorically.
Like my daughter, I was figuring out something new.
How to let go.
How to start again.
How to move forward without a map.
Only in my case, it wasn’t diapers. It was titles, routines, expectations.
And instead of baby wipes?
It was rejection emails, job board scrolls, and yet another rewrite of my LinkedIn bio.
No one claps when grown-ups stumble. There’s no sticker chart for mid-career pivots.
But here’s what I learned — from my toddler, no less:
- She didn’t overthink the misses.
- She didn’t cry when it didn’t go as planned.
- She didn’t give up after one bad day.
She just kept trying.
No shame. No drama. Just progress.
And honestly? I’m so proud of her.
Her fearless little spirit reminds me that growth doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to be brave.
Career Resets & Parenting Wins: It’s All About Trying Again
If you’re a working mom navigating a career transition, you might relate.
Whether it’s returning to work, changing industries, or pressing pause, These moments can feel lonely. Overwhelming. Disorienting.
But growth? It’s never linear.
Potty training isn’t mastered in a day. Neither is a new career path.
Sometimes, starting over just means:
- Hitting “apply” one more time
- Rewriting your CV (again)
- Saying “yes” to a small opportunity
- Believing in yourself again, even if you’re scared
What I’d Tell Any Parent or Professional in Transition
Whether you’re raising toddlers or resetting your career, here’s what this season has taught me:
🔹 It’s okay to not have it all figured out.
🔹 It’s okay to not to get it right.
No matter how many tries it takes, keep trying.
🔹 Small wins matter. Celebrate them.
🔹 You’re allowed to take your time.
🔹 You’re doing better than you think.
This whole experience even unblocked me from writing. Writing has been something that I hadn’t been able to do for weeks.
My toddler reminded me: failure is just part of learning.
Progress is rarely tidy.
Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is just try again.
So here’s to the messy middles.
To career pivots, parenting milestones, and choosing to show up — even when it’s easier to hide.
If you’re in a season of change or uncertainty, hear this:
✨ Let’s keep walking — one step, one try at a time.
We’re Pearlyn and Sha — two digital strategists (and moms) who’ve been in this game for over a decade. We help brands connect with modern moms in ways that are strategic and human.
👉 Follow us for more insights on branding, motherhood, and digital strategy.
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