14 May 5 Powerhouse Moms and 15 Surprising Reflections

With mothers on the mind, I asked five moms who manage thriving careers – as an editor, actress, entrepreneur, radio host and reporter, to share their secrets:

Alison Brod, PR Firm Owner, Mom of 2

Bonnie Fuller, Editor, Hollywood Life, Mom of 4

Mel Robbins, Radio Personality, Mom of 3

Katie Rosman, Wall Street Journal Reporter, Mom of 2

Kelly Rutherford, Actress, Gossip Girl, Mom of 2

If you didn’t work, you…

Alison Brod: “This question I can’t comprehend because I can’t imagine not working.”

Bonnie Fuller: “wouldn’t be able to express myself creatively.”

Mel Robbins: “would drive my family insane.”

Katie Rosman: “would be looking for a job.”

Kelly Rutherford: “wouldn’t have as much to offer.”

The two keys to having a successful home and work life are:

Alison Brod: “planning ahead and getting enough sleep.”

Bonnie Fuller: “a supportive partner who shares the load, and not driving yourself crazy with mommy guilt.  Plus work out!”

Mel Robbins: “Clarity and an army.  You’ve got to know what you want, and be willing to ask people around you to help you get it done.

Katie Rosman: “investing a lot of time into your personal relationship with your child care providers and never apologize to your kids for working.”

Kelly Rutherford: “focus on what you are doing in the moment and know that they both feed the other in a very positive creative way.”

Mommy guilt is…

Alison Brod: “always feeling as if you are in the wrong place.”

Bonnie Fuller: “completely useless!”

Mel Robbins: “self-inflicted, ineffective bullshit when you do it to yourself, but it’s a great tool to manipulate your family.”

Katie Rosman: “something all mothers confront but giving into it is a waste of energy because guilt is toxic and has no positive benefits.”

Kelly Rutherford: “a learned thing and does not help anyone.”

Samantha Ettus is a bestselling author, media personality and speaker, passionate about helping working moms to design a successful and happy lifestyle. Connect with her at samantha@samanthaettus.com or @samanthaettus.

To read this article on Forbes, please click here.

Samantha Ettus is a bestselling author & corporate speaker. The Pie Life: A Guilt-Free Recipe for Success and Satisfaction will be released in September.