Additional Coverage:
- Emma Grede was criticized for saying she’s a ‘three-hour’ mom. We asked 4 ambitious working moms what they think. (businessinsider.com)
Emma Grede’s “Three-Hour Mum” Comment Sparks Parenting Debate Among Working Mothers
Emma Grede, cofounder of Skims and mother of four, recently stirred a lively discussion about parenting when she described herself as a “max three-hour mum” on weekends during a Wall Street Journal interview. Grede explained that instead of spending long hours with her children, she focuses on creating “high-impact, core memories.” The remark drew mixed reactions-from understanding nods to sharp criticism-highlighting the complex challenges faced by ambitious working mothers striving to balance career and family life.
Addressing the backlash on April 14 during an appearance on “Today with Jenna and Sheinelle,” Grede said she was “caught off guard” by the intensity of the response. She emphasized that women entrepreneurs often face “impossible standards” both as parents and business leaders.
The conversation sparked by Grede’s comments underscores a broader reality: there is no one-size-fits-all formula for how much time parents “should” spend with their children. Yet societal expectations continue to place immense pressure on mothers to strike a perfect balance.
To delve deeper into this issue, Business Insider spoke with four high-achieving working mothers about how they navigate time, presence, and ambition alongside parenting.
Alex Otto, a marketing consultant and mother of three, related to Grede’s approach, recalling her own childhood with a busy corporate banker mother. “Most of our time together happened during busy mornings and evenings,” Otto shared, reflecting on the quality rather than quantity of time spent.
She acknowledged the critical role of a strong support system in managing career and family demands and noted that the balance shifts depending on life’s season. Otto also highlighted the importance of mothers pursuing intellectual and professional fulfillment beyond parenting.
Crystal Foote, cofounder of an ad tech company and mother of two, also sympathized with Grede. “Who are we to shame a mother for building billion-dollar brands while raising multiple children?”
she asked. Foote described her own sacrifices, including juggling business obligations during her children’s spring break, underscoring that ambition often requires difficult trade-offs.
She believes open conversations like these help normalize the realities of working motherhood and challenge outdated gender roles.
In contrast, Mandy Castillo, owner of a family-run ice cream and dairy farm and mother of two, disagreed with Grede’s parenting style. For Castillo, every moment with her children counts: “There’s no such thing as ‘enough’ time when you realize how quickly they grow up.”
She emphasized the mental load mothers carry and the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with parenting. Castillo believes sharing diverse experiences fosters encouragement and understanding among working moms.
Ashleigh Coaxum, owner of a Baltimore stationery store and mother of two, appreciated Grede’s candidness. “The fact that she can even quantify her time shows she’s intentional,” Coaxum said.
She stressed the importance of adapting to her family’s needs depending on the season and acknowledged that ambition requires sacrifice supported by a strong village and partner. However, Coaxum also cautioned that sound bites about parenting time may oversimplify the complex realities parents face.
Ultimately, the varied perspectives reflect that parenting and career balance is deeply personal and ever-evolving. What matters most is the intention behind the time spent and the ongoing effort to nurture both family and ambition in a way that works for each individual family. The conversation sparked by Grede’s comment continues to open space for honest dialogue about the pressures and trade-offs inherent to modern working motherhood.