A while ago, I was having one of those casual phone chats with a colleague when she dropped a statement that stopped me in my tracks. She said, “I don’t think I’m ready for this whole marriage-and-motherhood thing. Being a mother just halts your life goals—you don’t get to achieve anything.”
Normally, I’ll just listen. After all, I’m a guy; how could I possibly relate to the incredible sacrifices that come with motherhood? But on that day, something nudged me to speak up, even though I wasn’t exactly prepared for a debate.
She went on, “Honestly, I don’t want to give up my dreams just to be a mother. What’s wrong with climbing the corporate ladder, becoming a CEO, and doing great things? Sure, some mothers do amazing things, but compared to the majority, motherhood seems like a career dead-end. It makes you an underachiever.”
I listened without interrupting—because sometimes, that’s all you can do—but when she finished, I asked, “Mind if I share my take?” She said, “Go ahead.”
Here’s what I think: motherhood has been seriously underrated.
In today’s digital era, where startups sprout like weeds and young people are redefining success daily, women are crushing it in the corporate world, entertainment, sports—you name it. The pandemic even showed us a surge of female trailblazers in every field imaginable.
And while this progress is fantastic (seriously, hats off to all those women!), it sometimes overshadows something even more foundational—motherhood itself.
Let’s pause for a moment and remember: the only way any of us got here is because of a woman. Before fame, fortune, or fancy degrees, there’s life itself. Even the most career-driven, globe-trotting achiever was once a child born to a mother.
Am I saying people shouldn’t chase their dreams? Absolutely not. But framing motherhood as a setback or a disadvantage? That’s not just wrong—it’s heartbreaking.
From world leaders to brilliant surgeons, every great mind the world admires shares one thing in common: a mother.
Motherhood is a miracle—and it deserves way more celebration than it gets. Carrying a tiny human for nine months, bringing them into the world, then nurturing and shaping them into someone who might just change the world? That’s nothing short of extraordinary.
Even religious stories highlight this truth. The most significant figure in history had to be born of a woman to save humanity.
So, is motherhood an achievement? Without a doubt. I may still be on my own journey to greatness, but giving birth to me—now that’s an achievement worthy of a standing ovation.
In fact, once I finish writing this, I’m going to call my mom and tell her how grateful I am that she’s my mom. Maybe you should call yours too.
Because sometimes, the greatest achievements aren’t found in awards or titles—they’re found in the love and life only a mother can give.
