Honest confessions of working mothers

Motherhood is a journey that is often romanticized, but for working mothers, it can be a challenging, emotional and demanding experience. Balancing the responsibilities of a career with the demands of raising a family is a juggling act that can leave working mothers feeling overwhelmed and at times, inadequate. Here we present some honest confessions of working mothers, shedding light on the complexities they face. From the joys to the struggles, and the guilt that can often accompany their choices.

Every morning, I feel like I wake up with the weight of a thousand tasks on my shoulders.
The never-ending juggle between work and family can feel like an unrelenting storm. There are days when I ace my presentation at work, but as I sit in that meeting room, my mind drifts to my child's first day at preschool. Would they be performing well? Are they happy in that environment? Did I make a mistake sending them to pre-school while I go to work? These thoughts constantly badger my head.
But now, I've learned to embrace the fact that a perfect balance is a myth. Some days, I'm a superstar at work, while others, I'm the superhero mom at home.

Guilt is my constant companion, whispering in my ear at the most inconvenient times. It's there when I drop my child at daycare and watch them cry, making my heart ache with every step I take away from them. It's there when I miss their school play because of an important work meeting. Guilt can be all-consuming, and I've had to learn to silence its nagging voice. I've learned that being a working mother doesn't make me any less of a mother. In fact, my career is a way to provide a better life for my child and inspire them to never back down and stay determined on the path to success.

The balancing act doesn't just affect my relationship with my child, but it also strains my connections with my partner, family, and friends. Date nights are rare and sometimes we find ourselves too tired to do more than watch TV side by side. The weight of responsibility can lead to resentment and neglect. But we're navigating this journey together, learning that quality matters more than quantity in our relationships.

One of my deepest fears was that my career will suffer because of my role as a mother. I worried about being passed over for promotions or missing out on opportunities because I need to leave work on time to pick up my child. The corporate world isn't always forgiving and I've often felt the pressure to prove my commitment by working extra hours. It's a fear that gnaws at me, but I've come to realize that I can't let it hold me back. I'll continue to push for family-friendly policies and prove that motherhood only enhances my skills and determination.

Society has this image of the perfect working mother who can flawlessly manage her career and family. The pressure to ‘have it all’ and ‘do it all’ is a heavy burden. I confess that there are days when I feel like I'm failing on both fronts. It's time for society to recognize that working mothers are human, not superheroes. We need understanding and not judgment. We need workplaces that accommodate our unique challenges and partnerships that share the load.

As a working mother, I don't want to bear my burdens in silence. I want my journey to be understood and acknowledged. I want to be celebrated for the immense effort I put into both my career and my family. I want others with me to lift the veil of judgment and create a world where working mothers are empowered and supported, rather than scrutinized and criticized. I may not have it all, but I am always doing my best, and that's more than enough.