It seems like we only celebrate the over night success stories as if that is the only way; the correct way for women to succeed. For a lot of people it takes a continuous amount of hard work, graft. A resilience like no other and huge amounts of sacrifice especially if you are a mother. A quote I always come back to is "just because it is taking time, doesn't mean it is not happening" I am happier and kinder to myself knowing I am on my own path. Learning to slow down and be ok with that. – Alice Byrom

People often tell me "I don't know how you do it" but I feel like I have it so easy compared to so many parents. Working for myself in a creative environment, I feel I am surrounded (for the most part) by people who are open-minded, want to break the system, and who respect and appreciate motherhood and don't see it as an obstacle or an interruption - because it isn't. 

The obvious challenges of being a parent to three young children in London - the lack of space, the financial worries, the constant noise and motion, captured so well by Dunja - are balanced with the flexibility my work allows me. Of course, time is the one thing I really lack that can't be changed and has become a precious resource. At the same time, it all goes by so quickly, I feel committed to my profession for the longrun -- there will be a time when my kids don't need me to do all the things I can't do now. As for the other sacrifices, like missing events and all that stuff, to be honest, I'm in an era when kids are a good excuse to not have to deal with people I don't want to! Kids have made me more conscious of protecting my space, my time, and well-being. – Charlotte Jansen