Emma Grede was criticized for saying she’s a ‘three-hour’ mom. We asked 4 ambitious working moms what they think.

When you heard Emma Grede say she spends about three hours a day with her children on the weekends, what was your reaction?

I’ve actually lived that experience, but from the child’s perspective. My mom was a corporate banker in the 90s, and she was probably away from home just as much.

What I remember is that most of our time together happened in the mornings and evenings, which are the busiest parts of the day. You’re getting ready for school, winding down, doing dinner, and baths. So it made me think about whether those are actually quality hours.

I also immediately thought about the level of support she must have. To maintain a career like that, there has to be a very strong support system in place.

How do you personally define enough time with your children?

I honestly don’t know how to define it, and I think I’m still figuring that out. I have three kids, and even though I’m with them a lot, I don’t always feel like I’m giving each of them the undivided attention they deserve.

I think balance shifts depending on the season you’re in. Right now, my kids are young and need a lot, so it feels like a constant juggle. I want a balanced life, and I don’t think doing only career or only family is the answer, but I also don’t know exactly where that line is yet.

How do guilt, fulfillment, and ambition factor into that balance?

My kids are incredibly fulfilling, but so is my work. I’ve gone back to school for my MBA, and that takes me away a couple of days a month, but it’s also something that challenges me and fulfills me in a different way.

I think sometimes we don’t talk enough about how important it is for moms to have things that stimulate them outside their children. Not just self-care, but real intellectual or professional fulfillment.

Do you think conversations like this help or harm working mothers?

They’re incredibly important. This isn’t just a “mom problem,” it’s something the entire family should be thinking about, including partners and workplaces.

The more we talk about how hard it is to balance raising kids, running a household, and building a career, the better. It also helps remind bosses and leaders, especially those who may be past this stage, how challenging it really is.