Air Force Veteran mom shares secrets to balancing motherhood and career

Meet retired Air Force veteran ShaDonna McPhaul, a community-giving mom who shares advice on balancing career and motherhood.

Tell us your name and where you call home.

ShaDonna "Mo" McPhaul, I am from Fayetteville, NC.

Can you tell us about your family and the activities you like to do together?

My son Charles, who is 10 years old, and I love going to Fayetteville Woodpeckers games. We also enjoy visiting attractions such as Putt-Putt, Epic Fun Park and Defy. We also spend quality time together walking and watching wrestling. We also love the United Service Organizations (USOs).

Tell us about your career journey and how you ended up in your current position.

At 40, I started as an intern at Beasley Media Group while attending Fayetteville Technical Community College as part of my "Operation Life After" plan after retiring from the Air Force. Today, I'm the new Public Relations Director for The Stadium Event Center. I'm excited to bring quality entertainment to our community while getting the information out via "The Mo You Know Growth Impact Show" on radio station WIDU and The Fayetteville Press Newspaper.

Thank you for your service. What did you enjoy most about being in the military?

The friendships, travel, and opportunities to learn new skills were the highlights of my 20-year career in the Air Force. I made lifelong friends whom I love, and those relationships are one of my most cherished possessions. The soft skills and experiences I gained during my service continue to benefit me today.

What do you love about parenting as a working mother?

I cherish teaching my son all I know about life and my career. He's my eager apprentice, watching and mimicking my every move. I'm grateful for the flexibility of my current role, which allows me to be present for all his activities.

What advice do you have for mothers transitioning out of the military?

I would tell mothers transitioning from the military to be patient. The military environment and the civilian sector are two different operations tempos; the military usually moves faster than the civilian sector. Be sure to customize your time and experiences with your children. Ask them for their feedback on everything that affects their quality of life. Set them up for success by using your network to get them opportunities to further their purpose and prepare them for the future. Don't make them start from scratch; leverage your knowledge and resources to give them better life experiences.

What is one book, podcast, article, social media account, blog or other resource you can recommend for moms?

"What to Expect When You're Expecting." There is a lot of information that we probably didn't catch the first time we read it.

What does a relaxing day look like for you?

I either stay home and eat snacks all day or get my hair and nails done. I love going to the spa and just lunch with my friends to catch up.

What advice would you give to other mothers about balancing work and parenting?

I would tell mothers not to feel guilty about working and putting themselves first sometimes. You always have to be the best version of yourself for your family.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Motherhood is my greatest achievement, the biggest and best challenge of my life. I wouldn't trade it for the world.