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The sweet sound of 7 a.m. – our baby boy’s morning serenade- reminds Mommy and Daddy that it is time to start the day.

His day, filled with new discoveries and adventures, is just starting. For Mom and Dad, it is the beginning of a delicate balancing act—a dance between ambition, parenthood, and the weighty decisions that life throws at us. Our daily routine starts with Daddy taking charge—diaper duty, a singing toothbrush session, and a quick walk with our son before his workday commences. Meanwhile, Mommy seizes the opportunity to make the bed, tackle the dishwasher, prepare breakfast, and, if she is lucky, quickly get ready for the day.

The Work-from-Home Challenge

Most days, my husband’s work officially begins at 9 a.m., and he vanishes into his home office. For me, working from home alongside our son is a rollercoaster ride. The day unfolds like an unwritten script, with surprises at every turn. How do I plan my working day?

The Ideal Day:

7:00 a.m	Rise and shine! It is time to get ready, prepare food for the day, go for a morning walk with our son, coffee and breakfast
11:30 a.m	Naptime for the little one—my cue for uninterrupted work
12:30 p.m	Lunchtime, playtime, and exploring the world outside—library, playground, mall or wherever curiosity takes us
3:30 p.m	Another nap for our boy (or not) – a brief but blissful work opportunity
4:30 p.m	Playtime, exploration, and quality moments
5:30 p.m	Dad takes over. Time for chores, dinner prep, relaxation, and recharging
6:30 p.m	Dinner, family time, bath, reading and bedtime (well, ideally)
8:00 p.m	Mom and Dad quality time

The Reality Check

Of course, those days are rare. And let’s be honest, they are far from what we would call ideal. Especially because there is hardly any “me time” for either Mom or Dad. Most days, I am more like a juggler with too many balls in the air, desperately searching for new ways to keep my little one entertained. Meanwhile, my husband is doing his best to focus on work from home, squeezing in some quality father-son time whenever his work schedule allows.

Here is the big question on our minds: Should we send our 13-month-old to nursery?

Even though I understand the benefits, doubts sometimes creep in. I wonder if our boy is truly ready for nursery and if I am effectively managing the balance between motherhood and work. And then, there is the concern about the high costs in Zurich. The fear of making the wrong choices kept me up at night, leading to sleepless nights and endless discussions with myself.

My story might resonate with many moms out there—constantly striving to find a balance between your ambitions, being there for your baby, and embracing motherhood. When I became a mother, it took nearly a year to accept this new identity. There is no pause button after childbirth to ease this profound transition. Over time, I realized I had become a different person with different priorities in life. During that first year of motherhood, I recognized that I still wanted to pursue a fulfilling career while being there for my son. However, your path might look entirely different.

A Shift in Perspective

I found my answer in three transformative steps:

• Research and Create a (mental) List

Researching and gathering facts can help when you are faced with big decisions. I began listing the advantages and disadvantages of each option, bringing clarity and structure to my decision-making process. It was like spotlighting the choices, making them feel more real and understandable. I could see the potential benefits of sending our boy to nursery— He would have the chance to socialize with his peers, which is great for his development.

Plus, it would give me more time to focus on my business growth and pursuing my career, all while being a more present mom. While spending time on this research is crucial, setting a timeline for gathering information and moving forward to the next step is also essential. Otherwise, you might find yourself stuck in research mode without actually making a decision.

• Positives Examples

Reaching out to others who already experienced the things I am going to do gave me more security. Whether it is in your family, friends circle or talking to another mom you just met at the playground. Let me guarantee you most people are ready to share and happy to help.

Online forums and communities can be valuable resources for those living abroad without an established community, especially in the beginning. I remember the comfort of reading about others’ experiences online – it made me feel less isolated on this journey.

• Trust Your Intuition

Perhaps the most powerful lesson was the importance of intuition. I learned to listen to my inner voice, trusting that my choices were right for my family. It was a gradual process, but as I tuned in to my gut feeling, my decisions aligned with my true desires.

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What did we ultimately decide in the end?

A part-time nursery schedule for our son. It allowed me to nurture my business aspirations while ensuring I still had quality time with him. The nursery costs became an investment in our future, and my son thrived in the socialization and learning opportunities it offered.

While sending your child to nursery is not a one-stop solution to balance motherhood and a thriving career, it can be a piece of the puzzle. Motherhood is a complex journey, and it often involves significant personal changes. Creating small, achievable steps toward your ideal setup can restore a sense of control that might have slipped away during motherhood.

Remember, life’s choices do not have to be perfect.They just need to be the right ones for you.