Working Moms…There was this one morning—I swear, I wasn’t even fully awake yet—where I sent my boss a Slack message asking about pediatricians. Not project deadlines. Pediatricians. And I only realized it after she replied with, “I think you meant to send this to someone else? 😅”
Yeah. That kind of morning.
If you’re a working mom reading this and laughing a little because you’ve totally been there, just know: you’re not alone. Not even a little bit.
And if you’re not laughing… maybe you’re too tired to. That’s okay too.
Let’s talk about it. Not with the Instagram-filtered, “just drink more water and do yoga” energy. Just real talk, from one human to another.
First off: You’re Not Doing It Wrong
You know what’s funny? The world makes motherhood look like it comes with this magical playbook. One part superhero, one part Pinterest board, all grace and patience and meal plans.
But here’s the truth they don’t put in the parenting books: sometimes you’re just trying to keep everyone alive and yourself from crying in the laundry room again.
And still… you show up. For work. For your kids. For the dog. For that one PTA group chat you forgot to mute. You’re not failing. You’re just full.
Mental Load = Mental Fog
There’s this thing no one talks about enough. The mental load. It’s the grocery lists and the school events and the “who still needs new shoes?” swirling in your brain while you’re in a Zoom meeting pretending to care about quarterly projections.
You ever open the fridge and just stand there like, “Wait… why did I come in here?” Yep. Mental load.
It’s invisible, but it’s exhausting. And if you’ve been wondering why you’re feeling foggy, short-tempered, or just done—this could be a big reason why.
So What Helps? Let’s Be Practical (and a Little Petty)
Not gonna give you a 12-step plan or tell you to wake up at 5 AM to “seize the day.” Please. Let’s keep it real.
Here are a few things that help real, stretched-thin working moms survive the juggle:
1. Shrink Your To-Do List
If your to-do list has more bullet points than the Constitution, rip it in half. Then again. What needs to happen today? Like, really?
You can say no. You can ask for help. You can let the dishes wait. Honestly, sometimes “done” is just overrated. “Survived” counts too.
2. Create Micro-Pockets of Sanity
You don’t need a spa day. (Though wouldn’t that be lovely?) Sometimes, peace looks like finishing a hot cup of coffee without reheating it four times. Or driving in silence. Or locking the bathroom door for a 3-minute scroll through memes. It counts.
3. Talk to Someone Who Gets It
No offense to well-meaning friends, but if they haven’t had a toddler meltdown mid-conference call, they might not get it.
That’s why talking to a therapist—especially one who works with moms—is such a gift. You don’t have to explain every detail. You just get to breathe.
Side note: I found my therapist after an ugly cry in a Walgreens parking lot. True story.
4. Redefine What “Enough” Looks Like
Is your kid loved? Fed? Alive? You’re doing great.
Maybe they had mac and cheese twice this week. Maybe you missed a work deadline or forgot it was “wear blue” day at preschool. Welcome to the club. You’re not falling behind. You’re just living real life.
Can We Please Retire the “Good Mom” Myth?
You know the one. She bakes organic muffins and leads the school fundraiser and never raises her voice.
Nope. She’s fictional. Probably invented by a bored marketing exec.
The real good moms? They:
- Leave clean laundry in the basket for a week.
- Forget birthday party RSVPs.
- Cry in the pantry sometimes, then wipe their face and keep going.
Being a good working mom isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, messy hair and all. Especially when it’s hard.
Here’s the Deal: You Deserve Support
Let’s say it louder for the sleep-deprived moms in the back:
You deserve support. Even if you “look like you have it all together.” Especially then.
Whether that’s from your partner, your manager, your mom-friend group chat, or a professional counselor — it matters. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through every hard day.
You don’t have to earn rest or justify burnout.
Softness is Strength (Really)
You are allowed to rest. To say, “I can’t today.” To cry and not explain why. To ask for help without guilt.
And you are still a strong mother when you do.
Strength isn’t in how many things you can hold together. It’s in knowing when to put a few down.
So breathe. Take the nap. Order the pizza. Cancel the thing.
And remember—you’re still showing up. That’s what matters most for working moms.
Working Moms: Just One More Thing (Before the Toddler Wakes Up)
If you’ve read this far, I hope you feel seen. Maybe even a little bit lighter.
And if something in you whispered, “I think I need help”—listen to it. Reach out. Find a therapist who gets the whole working-mom brain-spin thing. (I’d start with Mamay in Bloom Counseling—they get it, truly.)
You don’t need to have a breakdown to deserve a breakthrough.
You just need to be human. And you already are.
