As Mother’s Day approaches, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible strength, adaptability, and humor that mothers bring—not just to their families, but to their workplaces as well. At in4mo, we believe that supporting women in tech means recognizing the whole person—not just the professional.
We spoke with Nataliia, our accounting assistant and mother of twins, about her journey balancing family, relocation, career shifts, and personal growth. Her story is both deeply personal and universally inspiring—and we’re honored to share it as part of our appreciation for mothers everywhere.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey—how did you get to where you are in your career?
I think it makes sense to start with a bit of background. I moved to Finland in 2020. Before that, I worked in finance within the construction industry, most recently as a Senior Financial Specialist at a real estate development company. After the company closed due to the economic crisis of the late 2000s, and with my husband starting a new job in another city, we moved about 700 kilometers away from our family and friends. We were planning to start a family, so I decided not to rush into finding a new job and planned to return to work after my parental leave.
That’s when life surprised us with twins. The first ultrasound was a shock—an emotional mix of excitement and fear of whether we’d be able to handle such a big task. But thinking of having twins as a “project” helped us stay organized, ask for help, and get through the intense first years.
Before moving to Finland, I was considering a career shift into something more creative. But once in Finland, I realized it would be easier to return to a familiar field. So, I restarted my career from the ground up and now work as an Accounting Assistant, finding my place again in the profession I know best.
How has becoming a mother changed or deepened your perspective on your work and life?
Motherhood has definitely changed the way I see many things. The first big lesson came when I found out I was expecting twins instead of one baby… realizing that you simply can’t control everything. Some things in life are unpredictable, and all you can do is adapt and be grateful… at least it wasn’t triplets!
It also taught me to accept people as they are—their personalities, their pace, their way of doing things. You learn quickly that every child is different, and trying to fit them (or yourself) into a rigid plan only leads to frustration.
Another thing I’ve learned is to let go of perfection. I used to put a lot of pressure on myself to “do it all,” but now I focus more on what truly matters. Progress is more important than perfection, and showing up with love, even if things aren’t flawless, is enough.
Have your career goals changed since becoming a mother? If so, how?
Not at all. Taking over the world is still on my to-do list. The only difference is that now I can do it with less sleep, more snacks in my bag, and the multitasking skills of a superhero. Basically, motherhood didn’t change my goals—it gave me new tools to reach them (and a lot more patience). If I can survive toddler meltdowns and negotiate bedtime with twins, I can definitely handle a meeting or two.
What kind of support system do you rely on—whether it’s a partner, family, friends, or workplace?
I recently read in an article that my generation is the first to be left without the traditional support of grandparents. Thanks to modern medicine, the internet, and various sources of wisdom, they’ve realized that retirement is the perfect time to enjoy life, explore hobbies, and have fun—not to spend it babysitting. What a pity for our generation!
So yes, most of the time I rely on my own strength and that of my partner. It’s not always easy, but we’ve become incredibly resourceful. If I ever make it to retirement myself—sorry kids—but I’ll definitely deserve the pottery class and yoga.
What does Mother’s Day mean to you?
It’s not a day of grand recognition, expensive gifts, or being honored like royalty. But it is a sweet reminder that being a mom is, at its core, something truly special. It’s the little things that make it meaningful, like a breakfast made by my kids (even if it’s a crooked slice of bread with cheese) and a hand-drawn card with hearts and misspelled words.
