14/06/2025
The Silent Strength of a Working Motherā¤ļø
Leaving for work each morning while your child waves goodbye from the doorway is a kind of quiet heartbreak many donāt talk about. Itās not dramatic. Walang luha, walang eksena. Just a kiss on the forehead, a whispered āI love you,ā and the sound of your footsteps fading down the hallway each one heavier than the last.
Every hug before leaving isnāt just a routine gesture. Itās a silent contract, a quiet panata ng isang ina, a promise that this temporary separation, no matter how painful, is rooted in deep, unwavering love. Because sometimes, loving your child means not being by their side 24/7. It means showing up in other ways in the hours spent working, the sacrifices made in silence, and the dreams you chase, not for yourself, but for them.
The Emotional Cost of Being a Working Mom
Minsan, may guilt.
Minsan, may lungkot.
Minsan, habang nasa biyahe, may bigla ka na lang maiisip na, "Did they eat enough? Did they miss me? Did I miss something today?"
And yet, you keep going. You show up for work. You answer emails. You attend meetings. You smile, even when your heart is aching. Because being a mother in todayās world means learning how to carry your child in your heart even when your arms are empty.
Thereās a certain kind of strength na natutunan lang ng mga nanay na araw-araw umaalis sa bahay habang may munting mata na nakatingin at naghihintay. That strength is not loud. Itās quiet, enduring, and deeply maternal.
Redefining Presence
Many of us grow up believing that being present for our children means being physically around all the time. But life isnāt always that generous. Work is necessary. Bills donāt pay themselves. Milk doesnāt magically appear in the fridge. Tuition, medicine, savings, these arenāt things we can wish for; they are things we work hard for.
So we learn to redefine presence.
Presence now means calling during lunch breaks.
It means packing their snacks with handwritten notes.
It means looking at your child and saying, "Anak, aalis si mama, pero tandaan mo, iniisip kita bawat minuto."
Presence is knowing what makes them laugh.
Itās knowing what story to read at bedtime, kahit pagod na pagod ka na.
Itās choosing to show up in the moments that matter, emotionally, mentally, spiritually even when you can't be there physically.
The Working Mom Is Not Less of a Mother
Letās be clear: working moms are not absent moms.
Earning a living does not make us less maternal, less nurturing, or less loving. In fact, many of us love so fiercely, that we willingly endure the pain of distance just to secure a better future for our families.
So to all moms who cry in silence after every goodbyeā¦
To all who carry the weight of their childrenās dreams on their shouldersā¦
To all who silently count the hours before they get to come home and cuddle their little ones againā¦
Know this: You are not alone.
You are seen.
You are strong.
And what youāre doing matters deeply.
The Love Behind Every Sacrifice
Every single step you take outside the home is filled with love. Every peso earned is not just money, itās time converted into dreams. Itās food on the table, warmth in the home, and opportunities down the line.
Your child may not understand it now. They may cry when you leave or throw a tantrum out of longing. But one day, they will look back and realize that the life they enjoy the comforts, the stability, the education were all stitched together by the invisible hands of your sacrifice.
And one day, they will say:
"My mom left every day for work, but she never left my side."
Permission to Be Proud
Letās also break free from the guilt. Motherhood should not be measured by the number of hours spent at home but by the quality of love we give. You are allowed to be proud of your work. You are allowed to chase dreams for yourself too. Because when your child sees you work hard, they donāt just learn survival, they learn resilience, determination, and hope.
You are teaching them what it means to love with action, not just affection.
You are shaping a future where they will grow up not just feeling loved, but also inspired by the example you set.
Final Words: The Modern Momma's Silent Legacy
To every modern momma out there whether you're taking the MRT at 6 AM, managing a business, teaching in a classroom, leading meetings, cleaning offices, or sitting behind a desk, this is for you:
Your love is valid. Your sacrifices are sacred. And your child feels your heart, even when your hands are not there to hold.
Donāt ever underestimate what you do.
Because the future youāre building?
Itās not just for them.
Itās also for you, the woman, the warrior, the mother.
-GalawangFrancisco
