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The Struggle is Real
A Typical Working Mom’s “Ideal” Day (With a Side of Reality)
5:30 AM — The “Me Time” That Never Quite Happens
I set my alarm early to have a little quiet time before the chaos begins — maybe a quick workout, journaling, or just drinking coffee while it’s still hot. But just as I settle in… my toddler wakes up an hour early — so much for that.
7:30 AM — Morning Mayhem (aka Everyone Needs Everything at the Same Time)
Packing lunches, finding lost shoes, convincing a 6-year-old that, yes, they have to wear socks — it’s like running a tiny, dysfunctional corporation before I’ve even logged into work. My phone dings with an early email from a client, and I know I should ignore it, but I check anyway. Now, I’m mentally at work before I’ve even left the house. Two places at once is never a good look.
9:00 AM — Work Mode (But Also, Life Mode)
I sit down at my desk, ready to focus — but first, a text from school: “Reminder: Today is Pajama Day!” I did not send my kid in pajamas — cue guilt spiral. Meanwhile, I have a deadline, a Zoom meeting in 10 minutes (camera mandatory, wait, did I brush my teeth), and a load of laundry still in the washer from yesterday (I can take 2 minutes to throw it in or check the mirror, but not both). Where is my coffee??
