Motherhood changes everything. It reshapes priorities, redefines success, and introduces a kind of responsibility that touches every part of life. For the mothers at Dweck Properties, those lessons show up not only at home but also in the way they approach their work, their teams, and the communities they help support each day.

This International Women’s Month, we asked a few of the moms across our company to reflect on their experiences with motherhood and how it has influenced their lives both personally and professionally. Their reflections are thoughtful and honest, and they serve as a reminder that there is no single way to balance the many roles women carry.

For Ivana Grozdanovic, motherhood has been transformative from the very beginning. She is the mother of a three-and-a-half-year-old son, Filip, and describes the experience as both joyful and deeply meaningful. “It is a privilege, joy, but at the same time a huge responsibility — to raise him to be the best version of himself and instill the values that will guide him through life.”

That sense of responsibility has also influenced how Ivana approaches her work. Becoming a mother motivated her to continue growing professionally, not just for herself but for the future she wants to build for her family. “Because it isn’t just myself I want a better life for, but now there is this little human who is much more important and deserves the best chance at life that I can give him.”

Motherhood, she says, also brings a heightened sense of self-awareness. The way we treat others matters more when little eyes are watching. “I became so much more aware of who I am, how I behave, how I treat people, because that is the kind of behavior I model for my son.” Like many working parents, Ivana acknowledges this level of mindfulness can be challenging. In the end, she says, “It’s always a balancing act.”

For Diane Bogyova, her motherhood journey has been filled with resilience and pride. She raised two sons, now 21 and 17, and reflects honestly on the realities of parenting. “Raising them wasn’t always easy,” she says, noting that her oldest son was diagnosed with ADHD and autism and that support at home was sometimes limited. “But somehow, I managed it and couldn’t be prouder of who they have become.”

Through those experiences, Diane learned that motherhood requires wearing many hats. “Being a mom means showing multiple sides of oneself. Whether it’s tending to wounds or discipline, being a mom, you end up doing it all.” Those instincts also appear in the workplace. “I’m the problem solver, advice giver, disciplinarian, and friend both at home and work.”

For Madeline Guillermo, the motivation that comes with motherhood is simple but powerful. “Being a mom is the fuel that fires me up to get up every morning and do my best,” she shares. She also recognizes the powerful influence parents have on the next generation. “As a mother, I am my children’s first teacher and biggest role model. I take my responsibility seriously and try my best to do everything with love so they will learn to do the same.”

Alex Williams describes motherhood as a turning point that reshaped her perspective on life. “The moment my first child was born, my world was turned upside down,” she says. What was once a focus on personal goals quickly became something bigger. “I went from only wanting to please myself to now having to care for another being entirely dependent on me.”

That shift also influenced how she shows up in the workplace. Alex says motherhood helped her become more intentional about celebrating others and recognizing achievements that might otherwise go unnoticed. “Everyone needs a cheerleader in their corner, not just kids.”

Balancing everything still takes effort. “Boundaries, time management, naps, and a good margarita when the occasion calls for it,” she jokes.

For Thania Lama, motherhood has spanned decades and generations. Today, that role has grown into the joy of being a grandmother. She proudly shares stories of her grandchildren—sports-loving grandsons Hayden and Gavin, and her young granddaughters Fernanda and Fabiana.

Through every stage, Thania says the meaning of motherhood has remained constant. “Being a mother means loving deeply, guiding, protecting, and continuing to grow with your children through every stage of life.”

For Thania, the building blocks learned in motherhood have made her the consummate professional she is today. “Becoming a mother taught me patience, responsibility, and the importance of leading with compassion,” she explains. “I approach my team and the people I serve with the same sense of care and understanding.” Over time, her definition of success has also evolved. “Success became about raising kind, strong, and loving children, building meaningful relationships, and creating a life full of purpose and love.”

Barbara Smith shares a similar belief in the lasting impact of motherhood across generations. For her, raising a daughter meant passing along wisdom and lessons learned along the way. “My role as a mother was to teach kindness, honesty, trust, and most importantly, respect,” she says.

Teaching these lessons to her daughter created the blueprint for how Barbara approaches her every day. Planning ahead, staying disciplined, and remaining committed to goals became second nature through motherhood. At the same time, she found ways to create balance by protecting quiet moments for herself. “Quiet time in the morning before everyone wakes up was my peace that carried me through the day.”

Kelli Albright describes motherhood as a life-changing experience in the best possible way. “Motherhood is the best,” she says. “That’s not to say it doesn’t get hard, but every hardship is worth it and only makes you a better mother.”

For Kelli, the role comes down to love and the example parents set for their children. “It means unconditional love for my children,” she explains, adding that she hopes to model dedication and hard work for her family. Motherhood has also strengthened qualities she relies on constantly. “Organization, patience, and gentleness,” she says, are strengths she didn’t fully recognize before becoming a mom.

Lidiya Gulte shares that motherhood is at the center of everything she does. As the mother of two young daughters, ages seven and eight, she says her motivation comes directly from them. “My life is wrapped around my daughters,” she explains. “I thank God for every moment I get to spend with them.”

That love influences the way she approaches her commitment to personal growth. Motherhood has helped her develop empathy, patience, and resilience. “Before becoming a mother, I didn’t fully realize how strong and determined I could be,” she says. “Motherhood has taught me to keep going even on difficult days and to always put love and care at the center of everything I do.”

For Tobesta Adera, motherhood has been both rewarding and deeply grounding. She describes it as one of the most humbling experiences of her life, one that continues to shape her perspective each day. “Motherhood has taught me patience, resilience, and how to appreciate the little moments that often mean the most,” she shares.

Balancing family, work, and everyday responsibilities is not always simple, but Tobesta says those experiences have helped strengthen the way she approaches challenges. “It has made me more efficient, adaptable, and mindful of how I use my time,” she explains. “The biggest surprise has been how much it strengthened my perspective and ability to connect with others in a more understanding way.”

Through motherhood, she has also discovered strengths she didn’t fully recognize before. “Motherhood constantly brings new situations,” she says, “and learning to adjust quickly has become one of my greatest strengths.”

For Lindsay Lindquist, motherhood has been both joyful and humbling. As the mother of two young boys, she describes the experience with honesty and gratitude. “They do nothing but bring me absolute joy,” she says. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Like many mothers, Lindsay says parenting has strengthened her perspective on resilience and self-compassion. “Above all else I’ve learned that patience and grace are key,” she explains. “I have to give myself grace when the day or week doesn’t go as planned.” Through the challenges and rewards, motherhood has revealed a strength she didn’t fully recognize before. “It makes you stronger every day both physically and mentally.”

For Lizzie Rivera, motherhood has shaped nearly every chapter of her life. After moving to the United States from Puerto Rico at 20 years old without speaking English, she began building a life and career while raising four children as a single mother.

Those years required determination, sacrifice, and faith. Working full time while raising four children meant long days filled with school events, homework at the kitchen table, sports practices, illnesses, and sometimes more than one job. But through it all, her children remained the driving force behind every decision she made.

“They gave my life direction during some of the most difficult years,” Lizzie says. “They reminded me every day that I had something bigger to fight for.”

Over time, those experiences shaped the way she approaches leadership today. Motherhood taught her resilience and discipline, but it also taught empathy. “Strong leadership is not just about results,” she explains. “It’s about people.”

Today, Lizzie looks at the adults her children have become and the families they are raising themselves and feels a deep sense of pride. Now a grandmother of seven, she sees the values she worked so hard to instill continuing into the next generation.

Despite their different experiences and life stages, these women share many of the same lessons. Motherhood has strengthened patience, resilience, empathy, and the ability to navigate challenges with perspective.

Their advice to other working mothers reflects that same understanding. Ivana encourages women to choose the path that aligns with their own values and circumstances. Diane reminds mothers that while the journey isn’t always easy, there is always a way forward. Thania emphasizes giving yourself grace and focusing on the love and guidance you provide rather than perfection.

This International Women’s Month , we celebrate the mothers across Dweck Properties who bring these experiences, strengths, and perspectives into their work every day. The lessons learned at home often shape the way communities are cared for, teams are supported, and challenges are solved.

To all the moms at Dweck: thank you for showing up with your whole selves, for we know the balancing act is no small feat.