At the top of her game, L.A. Sparks’ Candace Parker has more than just hoop shots to worry about. At 23, she’s a new mom who plans to return to the court after only six weeks of maternity leave. This ESPY female athlete award nominee may be a young mom, but her career is already on track, to say the least. A former Tennessee Lady Vol, Parker is a two-time NCAA Champion, Rookie of the Year, WNBA Most Valuable Player, and an Olympic Gold Medalist from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Now, she’s entering a new kind of court, one with diaper changes and midnight feedings. She and her husband Sheldon Williams, basketball player of the Minnesota Timberwolves, will now be playing on the same team to raise their daughter. On May 13th, Parker gave birth to her first child, Lailaa Nicole Williams. Overjoyed as she was, she was also eager to return to work. The basketball star started practice two weeks after the birth, when her doctor cleared her to exercise, limiting her sessions to no more than 30 minutes. Parker has been feeling good since her pregnancy, certain that a return to full practices will burn off her last bit of extra weight. The sports star has become a widely recognized example of an accomplished young mom, and was the first pregnant athlete to appear on the cover of ESPN magazine. As this role model enters the world of working mothers, she has many thoughts on the transition:

Working Mother: What kinds of sacrifices do you anticipate having to make (or have made) in your career in order to be there for your child? What do you think you’ll have to sacrifice for the sake of your career?

Candace: First and foremost, my family has always and will always come first. I have always sacrificed whatever for my family and it will be no different for my daughter. I anticipate that like any parent my biggest sacrifice will be sleep, but that is a small price to pay for the blessings she gives me every day. I plan on her being with me throughout my career, sharing in my daily triumphs and struggles. I am fortunate to be involved in a career that allows me to bring my child along a lot and basketball is not a career where my schedule is set in stone from 9 until 5. My career does require me to travel a lot, so as a result, my daughter will be in a lot of airports and miss a great deal of naps.

Working Mother: What are your thoughts on balancing time between your child, and other adults? In what ways and to what extent do you benefit from time with your peers? With your child?

Candace: I believe it is important to balance time between your child and spending time with peers. The balance will never be equal, but it is beneficial in order to keep from going crazy to go out to dinner or a movie with friends. Time spent with my baby is special and beneficial in so many ways, from bonding to bringing me endless joy. Spending time with your peers is beneficial because you are not losing your identity and it is a chance to have fun and do the things once done before the baby was born.

Working Mother: How do you make the most out of the time you do have with your child?
Candace: I enjoy every moment because she is changing so fast each and every day. She is definitely spoiled, nearly always being held. My child makes me smile even at 3 a.m. when I am delirious from lack of sleep. As she grows older I look forward to more things we will be able to do together.

Working Mother: How have you learned to change the way you meet your needs so that you can juggle your career and your child? Do you get enough you time? Or, alternatively, since you are such a new mom, how do you anticipate having to change your life to make room for time with your child?

Candace: The toughest thing was to leave her for the first time. I get enough "me" time when she is napping or when my husband watches her. My life will definitely have to change a great deal, but I look at it as a complete blessing. I have a great deal of support from my husband and my family that will enable me to balance my career and my child. Honestly, I love being a mom; I rush home from working out to see my baby because I miss her when I am away.

Working Mother: What advice can you give to other working moms for how to balance it all?

Candace: Narrow your focus. When you are at home, away from your career, focus solely on your family and spending time with them. At work, focus on just that, working. Doing this will allow you to be time efficient at work and enjoy the time spent with your family, while worrying and stressing less.