One of the best benefits of being a financial advisor is getting to know such a wide variety of people and families – how they run, what makes them tick, what’s important to them as people and to their relationships. This is especially true of our clients who have grown children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. They have made countless choices in raising their families and have seen how those choices trickle down through generations and play out in the lives of those they love most.
Becoming a parent is a remarkable transformation – the demands on your time and energy, the reordered prioritization in your life, the new joys and fears. We have had plenty of team members who were parents, but last year was the first time that a team member of mine had a baby. We added a second new baby to the team this year, and I hope we have many more to come. What a gift it has been to watch two of my team members become moms – to evolve from the abject lack of knowledge of what it’s like to be a parent to landing on their feet, advocating for their child, defining their family values, and making decisions aligned with the best interest of that little life.
Being a mother has certainly made me a better financial advisor – from elevated empathy to sharpened communication skills. And being a financial advisor has made me a better mother. I know from the stories my clients have shared with me over 25 years that I set an example every day, whether I mean to or not, and that my decisions for my family shape and influence who my children become.
This is particularly interesting to consider with the backdrop that women are expected to be the lead decision-maker on higher levels of money over the coming years and decades. This means that more moms will provide a deep imprint on their children’s financial decision-making and opportunities. Being a model for your children can be an active choice – especially when it comes to money. As the evolution for women to control more money continues, we look forward to sharing success stories about moms teaching resilience, independence and confidence through their money choices and achievements.
To all the mamas out there, we think you’re pretty cool. Happy Mother’s Day from BFS Advisory Group.