Having been both a working mom and a part-time stay-at-home mom in Canada—thanks to three year-long maternity leaves—I can attest to the joys and challenges each role brings, albeit in different ways. The experience of being a working mom is filled with its own distinct hurdles. The most prominent is the overwhelming sense of guilt that looms daily. You grapple with feelings of missing out on meaningful moments with your children while at work, and vice versa, your job often takes precedence over other priorities.
Yet, there are undeniable advantages. You can leverage your education and skills, face intellectual challenges, and maintain a sense of identity beyond being just “Mom.” Nevertheless, the struggles are real.
Here are 16 realities that resonate deeply with many working mothers:
- Enjoying hot coffee is a rare delight that your child-free colleagues simply do not understand.
- You have honed the skill of surviving on minimal sleep.
- At least once, you’ve arrived at work with remnants of spit-up, snot, or food on your clothing.
- A sick child in the morning triggers intense debates with your partner about who will take the day off.
- Seeing your daycare’s phone number pop up on your work phone fills you with anxiety, prompting a frantic review of your schedule.
- You inevitably miss out on events—be it Mother’s Day brunch, school performances, or soccer matches; attending every event is impossible.
- The time between 5:00 and 8:00 PM resembles a chaotic sprint every day.
- Morning hours from 6:00 to 8:00 AM are equally frenetic.
- Your monthly daycare bill often rivals or exceeds your mortgage payment, leading you to reminisce about a time before kids when finances were less strained.
- Dropping your child off at daycare often involves prying them off your leg while maintaining a brave smile, only to fight back tears in the car. On other days, you may be greeted with indifference upon arriving after a long day.
- Strangers often make unsolicited comments about your choice to have daycare care for your children, leaving you questioning how to respond.
- You face deeply personal inquiries about your role as a working mother, a contrast to the absence of similar questions directed at fathers.
- There’s a continuous struggle to balance work and family, where neither receives 100% of your attention, leaving you to wonder if you’ve struck the right equilibrium.
- You’ve become more organized and efficient than you ever thought possible.
- Enrolling your child in daycare was emotionally challenging, but over time, you come to appreciate the invaluable role that teachers play in your child’s life, expanding your support network.
- By navigating this journey, you’re setting a powerful example for both your daughters and sons about the value of hard work and perseverance.
To all the working moms out there: I recognize the difficulties we face. Your strength is truly inspiring.
For more insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on the IVF process, which provides valuable information about various options available to aspiring parents. Additionally, if you’re interested in at-home insemination techniques, explore our post on the Cryobaby at Home Insemination Kit. Dr. Jamie Thompson’s expertise on frozen embryo legalities can be found in this interview.
In summary, being a working mother is a balancing act filled with challenges and rewards. From managing guilt to mastering efficiency, each day is a testament to resilience and love.