24/06/2025
Being a working mom is harder than being a stay-at-home mom.
Now, before you come for my throat—hear me out. I’ve been both.
When I was a stay-at-home mom, the days felt endless. There were no shifts, no clocking out. Just a constant loop of feeding, cleaning, soothing, managing meltdowns, tidying toys, folding laundry, reheating the same cup of coffee three times before giving up. It was physically tiring, yes—but it was mentally relentless. And the loneliness? The feeling of being invisible? That was real. There were days I craved adult conversation or just five minutes to breathe without someone needing something from me.
But now, as a working mom, I’ve come to realize that “doing it all” is more than just a catchy phrase—it’s a daily reality. All those responsibilities I had as a stay-at-home mom? They didn’t vanish. They just got packed into fewer hours, with more pressure and far less flexibility.
I wake up early, try to get everything ready before the toddler wakes up (spoiler: she always beats me to it), then shift into work mode—replying to emails with one hand and refilling snacks with the other. Then I clock out and jump straight into mom duty: playtime, meals, tidying, bathtime, bedtime routines. There are no breaks, just transitions. No real rest, just switches.
I miss moments. I feel guilt. I wonder if I’m giving enough—at work, at home, to myself. I look at other moms who seem more present, more patient, and I worry that my daughter will remember me being busy instead of just being with her.
And yet—I love my work. I’m proud of what I do. I want to provide, to grow, to show my daughter what it looks like to chase dreams and still show up with love. But the truth is: juggling motherhood and a career stretches me in every direction—mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Both roles—stay-at-home and working—are hard. Both require sacrifice. Both deserve respect.
But for me? Working motherhood demands a constant, exhausting dance that often leaves me running on empty.
So if you’re a mom in either role, or somewhere in between—I see you. I honor you. You’re doing more than enough. 🩵