Family-First Motherhood: Building a Purpose-Driven Career Without Sacrificing Home with Emilia Coto
Tue Feb 03 2026
What does it really look like to pursue a meaningful career while keeping your family at the center rather than on the sidelines?
In this episode, I’m joined by Emilia Coto, an immigration lawyer, business owner, mother of two young children, and fellow podcast host of Little Hands, Big Plans. Emilia shares her honest journey of building a career she’s deeply passionate about while intentionally shaping a family-first home life.
We talk about redefining success in motherhood, setting boundaries that protect what matters most, and the ongoing process of aligning your work with your values, especially in seasons with young children. This conversation is a breath of fresh air for any mom navigating the tension between ambition and presence.
Whether you’re a working mom, entrepreneur, or simply wrestling with how to live out your values in everyday life, this episode offers clarity and permission to design a life that truly fits your family.
What We Cover in This Episode
What family-first motherhood really means in daily life
Juggling motherhood and career without constant guilt
Building a purpose-driven career while raising young children
Redefining success as a working mom
Creating boundaries that protect home life and relationships
Navigating the realities of entrepreneurship and motherhood
How motherhood reshapes priorities, goals, and identity
Encouragement for moms who love their work and their families
Why This Episode Matters
So many mothers feel pressure to “do it all” while quietly wondering if they’re doing any of it well. Emilia’s story reminds us that motherhood isn’t about choosing between career and family. It’s about intentionally designing a life that reflects your deepest values.
This episode will resonate with moms who want to:
work with purpose
lead with integrity
stay deeply connected to their children
and build a life that feels aligned, not divided
About Emilia Coto
Emilia Coto is an immigration lawyer who runs her own practice while raising two young children. She is also the host of the podcast Little Hands, Big Plans, where she explores thoughtful, intentional parenting and career life. Emilia is passionate about meaningful work, family-first values, and helping parents live purpose-filled lives.
Follow her on:
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
Listen If You’re Searching For:
Family-first motherhood
Juggling motherhood and career
Working mom encouragement
Purpose-driven careers for mothers
Entrepreneurial motherhood
Parenting with intention and values
Motherhood and identity
____________________
Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpr...
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What does it really look like to pursue a meaningful career while keeping your family at the center rather than on the sidelines? In this episode, I’m joined by Emilia Coto, an immigration lawyer, business owner, mother of two young children, and fellow podcast host of Little Hands, Big Plans. Emilia shares her honest journey of building a career she’s deeply passionate about while intentionally shaping a family-first home life. We talk about redefining success in motherhood, setting boundaries that protect what matters most, and the ongoing process of aligning your work with your values, especially in seasons with young children. This conversation is a breath of fresh air for any mom navigating the tension between ambition and presence. Whether you’re a working mom, entrepreneur, or simply wrestling with how to live out your values in everyday life, this episode offers clarity and permission to design a life that truly fits your family. What We Cover in This Episode What family-first motherhood really means in daily life Juggling motherhood and career without constant guilt Building a purpose-driven career while raising young children Redefining success as a working mom Creating boundaries that protect home life and relationships Navigating the realities of entrepreneurship and motherhood How motherhood reshapes priorities, goals, and identity Encouragement for moms who love their work and their families Why This Episode Matters So many mothers feel pressure to “do it all” while quietly wondering if they’re doing any of it well. Emilia’s story reminds us that motherhood isn’t about choosing between career and family. It’s about intentionally designing a life that reflects your deepest values. This episode will resonate with moms who want to: work with purpose lead with integrity stay deeply connected to their children and build a life that feels aligned, not divided About Emilia Coto Emilia Coto is an immigration lawyer who runs her own practice while raising two young children. She is also the host of the podcast Little Hands, Big Plans, where she explores thoughtful, intentional parenting and career life. Emilia is passionate about meaningful work, family-first values, and helping parents live purpose-filled lives. Follow her on: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Listen If You’re Searching For: Family-first motherhood Juggling motherhood and career Working mom encouragement Purpose-driven careers for mothers Entrepreneurial motherhood Parenting with intention and values Motherhood and identity ____________________ Want to be a guest on The Motherhood Experience? Send Val Kleppen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpr...