Five Realities of Being a Working Mom

From online blogs to TV dramas, working mothers are often portrayed in a specific light. While these depictions can be humorous or touching, they frequently lean on the same stereotypes: that we’re guilt-ridden, exhausted, and juggling careers with parenting. Although some of these portrayals hold a grain of truth, they certainly don’t paint the whole picture. Here are five realities I’ve discovered about being a working mom.

1. No Guilt About Working

I don’t feel guilty about heading to work. Sure, I feel a pang of guilt when I give my kid cold cereal for breakfast or let him binge-watch cartoons. But, surprisingly, when I dropped him off at daycare for the first time, I felt nothing but relief. I realized he was in good hands with people who had more baby know-how than I did. Now that he’s a little older, I love watching him thrive in that environment. Some days he might cry when I leave, but other times he doesn’t want to come home!

2. I’ve Never Been Spit-Up Decorated

Can we please retire the “spit-up on the shoulder” cliché? When I returned to work after maternity leave, I braced myself for this scenario. I even thought about keeping an emergency outfit in my car. While I have had my share of snot on my pants and crumbs in my pockets, I’ve somehow managed to avoid the spit-up look.

3. Major Respect for Stay-at-Home Moms

I have no idea where this rivalry between working moms and stay-at-home moms originated, but it’s time to put it to rest. I used to think that staying home with kids was a piece of cake. Then I had a child and quickly learned that parenting is tough, involving hard physical labor and deep emotional commitment. I appreciate the stay-at-home moms out there because, let’s face it, that’s a job I can’t handle. It’s like giving a salute to our military personnel; you’re doing something incredible.

4. Voicemail is My BFF

In the early days of daycare, I would jump at my phone every time it rang, thinking it might be bad news. Thankfully, the calls usually began with “It’s not an emergency, but…” Now, I’ve learned that if it’s important, they’ll leave a message. So, I check my voicemail periodically and don’t feel the need to drop everything for every call.

5. Pick-Up Time is the Highlight of My Day

Let’s be real: picking up my son from daycare is the best part of my workday. I love sneaking a peek through the window before entering, just to see what he’s up to. When he spots me and runs over with a big grin, or grabs my hand to show me something he made, it melts my heart. He’s building his own little world, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

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In summary, being a working mom comes with its own set of quirks and joys, and it’s about finding balance while appreciating what both working and stay-at-home moms bring to the table.