The Truth About Being a Working Mom
If you work full-time or part-time outside the home while raising kids, chances are you’ve felt a tension that’s hard to describe. You want to give your best to your family, but you also want—or need—to show up fully at work. You may love your job or hate it, but either way, you’re juggling more than one full-time role. Sometimes it feels like nobody notices or cares.
If this is you, please know that as a member of the Mamas and Chai community, you are seen. Your experiences matter. This is the space where we get honest about the tug-of-war between work and home—and how to live fully in both worlds.
The Reality vs. The Dream
Before I had my own baby, I didn’t see many women juggling the early days of motherhood with a full-time career. That changed when a colleague returned to work after maternity leave. She shared her struggles—pumping milk in the car during work trips and racing home to bathe her baby before bed.
It was eye-opening. Motherhood while working full-time looked nothing like I imagined.
The Fantasy of Motherhood
I used to picture motherhood like a mid-century magazine ad—peaceful, tidy, and joyful. I imagined slow evenings, home-cooked meals, and time to relax with my husband. I thought I’d be the happy, helpful homemaker 24/7, even when eight of those hours were dictated by my boss at work.
Reality hit fast. My days became a blur of feedings, diaper changes, laundry, and meal prep. Often there were blowout disasters during dinner that demanded immediate cleanup. Lunch breaks turned into stolen naps, and the mental fog felt like a constant companion.
Returning to Work Postpartum
Going back to work after having a baby is both emotional and physical. There’s the heartache of leaving your child and the exhaustion of pretending you’re “back to normal” when you’re not.
Even with a baby who slept through the night, I was drained. The mental load made simple tasks at work feel overwhelming. I’d forget small details or send an email late—and that wasn’t like me. “Mom brain” was real, and it had moved in for good.
The pressure didn’t stop there. Mistakes at work felt higher-stakes than ever. Balancing motherhood and career is like walking a tightrope. One slip can feel like it will ruin your reputation or job security.
The Workplace Reality for Moms
Even workplaces that claim to be “family-friendly” often fall short. At one job, several women considered quitting when our boss cut back remote options. These were top performers who just needed flexibility to care for their families.
When I raised the issue, I heard, “Work from home is not a substitute for daycare.” The words stung. Childcare costs were skyrocketing, and missing precious time with our kids came with an emotional cost, too.
Too often, mothers carry the heavier load. They pick up sick kids, manage school schedules, and handle grocery runs. Even when some flexibility exists, it rarely erases the stress. Our world depends on children to survive, yet parents are often left to bear the burden as if raising them was a selfish choice.
Finding Balance in the Chaos
Most working moms can’t throw in a load of laundry during lunch. Instead, we come home from work and sprint into the evening routine—cook dinner, bathe the kids, and hope bedtime doesn’t drag on.
Some nights, you only get two or three hours with your kids before it’s time to crash. And if daycare closes or a caregiver calls out, your PTO—or your paycheck—takes the hit.
The Weight of It All
This pressure builds. I’ve been there, breaking down in my kitchen, crying to my husband because I needed more time. Time to clean, time to cook, time to just breathe.
There are days I wish I could bake bread from scratch or even remember the last time I washed the sheets. But there’s strength in vulnerability. There’s strength in showing up—especially when it feels like you can’t.
The Bright Side
Working motherhood isn’t all struggle. There are small, beautiful moments that make it worthwhile.
For me, returning to work offered an outlet. I didn’t love being away from my baby, but creating and contributing fueled me. So did my daily uninterrupted cup of tea. It was nice not having to reheat it three times throughout the morning.
There were other tiny joys—like sneaking a nap behind my office bookcase during lunch, reading my Bible during breaks, or listening to a podcast during the commute. Those pockets of peace gave me the energy to show up at home with patience and love.
There’s also a certain financial security that comes with working. Because while some families thrive on one income, most don’t want to or can’t. When I was laid off, I missed being able to buy the expensive convenience smoothies for my daughter, or knowing I could replace my phone if my daughter chucked it in the toilet.
Growing Through Challenges
Whether you love your job, dread it, or land somewhere in between, one thing is true: working motherhood shapes you. It stretches you in ways you never expected—teaching you to prioritize, adapt, and savor the little wins. A stressful workday. A burnt dinner. A night you lose your patience. These moments may feel small or frustrating, but they’re building a life of resilience and love.
Every meal cooked (microwaves count!), every bedtime story read, every hour spent providing for your family is creating a home and a future. This season may be messy and exhausting, but it’s also full of tiny joys—like your baby’s sleepy smile after a long day.
Through it all, remember this: you are not alone. Even on the days it feels like too much, Mamas and Chai is here—a place to pause, breathe, and feel at home.
