Being a working mother brings unique challenges that allow our superpowers to shine. This is a controversial perspective because society and the government should be doing more to support parents. It isn’t fair to be in total awe of the incredible skills women develop in managing mind-bending responsibilities with the precision of a ninja.
However, as I always say, there is how things should be and how things are.
Whenever I feel defeated, overwhelmed, or want to know what I can do better, I call the mamas in my life. They have real-world experience in real-time, are open and honest about what works and what doesn’t, and make me feel less alone in this battle. We all have this one thing in common: life is a bullet train, and we are on the express. We are handling things at such speed that there is no time to hesitate.
My biggest struggle with getting into this rhythm is the reality we face of The Disappointment Fairy. It was hard to come to terms with, but like other things we can’t change, once we accept them as unalienable truths, it’s easier to move on from the anxiety.
If I focus on a work project while my kids are home, they’re disappointed I can’t play. I would be disappointed in my job if I spent an hour playing with my kids and didn’t work on that email. I’m disappointed if I skip an outing with the family to work on a project, but I must try to balance my commitments.
All of these tasks and demands on my time are equally important. They demonstrate, by example, the values I want to bestow on my kids: prioritize your health, volunteer for causes that need you, be there for your family, earn a good living, and find joy in all these responsibilities.
