In a recent interview, Gwen Stefani opened up about the highs and lows of her music career while balancing motherhood. The 54-year-old singer, known for her iconic music and stint as a coach on “The Voice,” shared her experiences from her early days of pregnancy to her journey as a working mom.
Stefani recalled her first pregnancy with her son Kingston, who is now 17. During that time, she was amidst rehearsals and the Harajuku Lovers Tour in 2005. Struggling to balance her music career and impending motherhood, she described feeling incredibly sick and overwhelmed. “It’s the first time I had to work with this band, the first time I ever had dancers, the first time I ever did costume changes, the first time being pregnant,” she said. Gwen also stated that she cried almost every night.
Despite the challenges, Stefani continued her career and even felt good about returning to the studio to work on her 2006 album, “The Sweet Escape,” after Kingston’s birth.
However, things changed after welcoming her second son, Zuma, in August 2008. Stefani began to feel the weight of mom’s guilt and the pressure of being away from her children. This happened especially when reuniting with her band, No Doubt, for their album “Push and Shove.” She confessed to struggling with creativity and feeling selfish for leaving her kids to work on music.
Eventually, Stefani completed the record with No Doubt, which marked the band’s last album before parting ways in 2013. However, in April, they recently announced their reunion at the Coachella Music Festival in California.
Despite balancing her music career and motherhood challenges, Stefani found happiness when she got pregnant for the third time. Kingston had wished for another sibling and prayed for it every night. His prayers were answered when Stefani became pregnant with Apollo at 43, which she described as a “true miracle.”
Gwen Stefani and her former husband, Gavin Rossdale, welcomed their youngest son, Apollo, in February 2014. While their marriage ended in 2015 after 13 years, Stefani’s series of miracles continued. She referred to the first miracle as getting pregnant with Apollo, the second as her stint on “The Voice,” and the third as meeting her now-husband, Blake Shelton. They met while working as coaches on the popular singing competition show. Stefani and Shelton tied the knot in July 2021.
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Throughout her journey as a pregnant singer and working mom, Gwen Stefani has faced various challenges and joys, ultimately finding love and happiness in her family and career.
Are you, too, feeling guilty while balancing motherhood and work? Here are some ways to combat the feeling,
Prioritize Self-Care
Remember the old saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It’s essential to take care of yourself physically and mentally. Make time for activities that recharge your batteries, whether exercise, reading, or a hobby. When you’re feeling your best, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of both work and motherhood.
Set Realistic Expectations
Accept that there is no such thing as a perfect balance. Some days, work may take precedence, while on other days, your child will need more attention. Embrace the idea that it’s okay not to be perfect in either role. Set achievable goals and be kind to yourself.
Communicate with Your Employer
Open and honest communication with your employer is critical. Discuss flexible work arrangements or remote options if applicable. Many companies are becoming more accommodating to working parents. Don’t hesitate to explore these options to make your life more manageable.
Create a Support System
Lean on your support network. Whether it’s your partner, family, or trusted friends, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Share responsibilities with your partner and delegate tasks to others when needed. You don’t have to do it all alone.
Quality Over Quantity
Remember that the quality of time you spend with your child matters more than the quantity. When you’re present, be fully engaged with your child. Put away distractions, and cherish the moments you have together. It’s about being mindful and making the most of your time.
Embrace Technology
Leverage technology to stay connected when you can’t be physically present. Video calls, text messages, and photos can help you feel connected to your child, even at work.
Focus on Your Child’s Well-being
Remind yourself that your career is also a source of pride and financial security for your family. You set an excellent example for your children by excelling in your job. You also teach them the value of hard work and determination.
Let Go of Perfection
Perfection is an illusion. Understand that you will make mistakes, and that’s perfectly okay. Learn from them and use them as opportunities for growth. Your child will benefit from seeing you handle adversity with grace.
Summing Up
In conclusion, balancing work and parenthood is an ongoing journey. Remembering the above points, you can minimize parental guilt and find harmony in your dual roles. Remember that being a working mom is a testament to your strength and resilience. Your children will grow up learning valuable life lessons from your example. So stop blaming yourself each time you cannot handle things better, and just relax. You won’t realize, and they will soon grow up.
Garima Bais, a content creator since 2015, delivers unmatched quality with a personal touch. She is an expert in niches like beauty, fashion, digital marketing, health, parenting, travel, and home improvement. An Extremely positive person, she wishes to extend a helping hand to people dealing with problems who have no one to share them with.
