This post is a guest contribution from Jamie, a Senior Vice President of E-Commerce at a large nonprofit organization and a mother of three: a seven-year-old, a four-year-old, and a six-month-old. Here’s a glimpse into what a typical week looks like for this busy mom.
MONDAY:
Rise and shine! I start the day by preparing breakfast for everyone, packing lunches, backpacks, and a daycare bag. My husband and I work together to get the kids dressed, brush their hair, and ensure every tooth is brushed and flossed—except for his; that’s on him! Since I’m working from home today, I skip the shower and stick to comfy clothes. After putting my first grader on the school bus, I send the younger two off with their dad. I then pump milk and dash to the grocery store for a quick run (speed grocery shopping should be an Olympic sport!). Back at home, I dive into emails, meetings, and pumping. At the end of the workday, I whip up a quick dinner that can bake while I pick up the kids. Once home, we tackle dinner, homework, and bedtime routines—usually, I put the baby to bed while my husband handles the older kids. After the kids are asleep, I reset the house and bags for tomorrow, which my husband compares to the scene from “50 First Dates.” Tomorrow is a work-at-the-office day, so I need to pack everything tonight, including my breast pump. I also prepare dinner for the following night, start the dishwasher, check work emails, and finally head to bed.
TUESDAY:
I wake up, make breakfast, and jump in the shower. I do a quick makeup routine and use thickening spray on my hair. I pump in the car while my husband drives me to drop off the younger kids at daycare and preschool. Then, I park at the subway and commute to the city. I grab oatmeal from the cafeteria (hoping it will boost my milk supply) and hot water for tea. The day consists of emails, meetings, and more pumping. If I’m lucky, I’ll enjoy a work lunch at a nice restaurant. The sitter picks up the kids and puts my pre-prepared dinner in the oven. After commuting home, we have dinner, tackle homework, and go through the bedtime routine. I reset the house again, pack lunches, and prepare my breast pump for the next day. I also check work emails before heading to bed. Can you see a pattern forming?
WEDNESDAY:
It’s a repeat of Tuesday, but my husband and I alternate picking up the kids in the evening. I forget again (for the third week in a row!) that my oldest’s library books are due today. I accidentally leave nursing pads on my desk after pumping and pray no one notices. Tonight is bath night, which thankfully my husband usually handles (yes, we only give our kids baths twice a week). I realize that Friday is “Dress as Your Favorite Character Day” at school and frantically figure out how to make or order a costume in time (thank you, Amazon Prime). Once again, I reset the house, pack lunches, and prepare the breast pump and supplies before starting the dishwasher. I check my work emails and collapse into bed.
THURSDAY:
I wake up to one of my kids crying for me or standing beside my bed. Exhausted, I tell them to go watch TV. I wonder aloud why I seem to be the only person I know with three kids. For more insights on managing family life, check out this post on Modern Family Blog.
As the week progresses, I try to balance work, family, and self-care, but it’s not always easy. I often find myself wishing for more hours in the day, but I know it’s all worth it when I see my kids smiling.
Summary:
A week in the life of a working mom involves juggling numerous responsibilities, from preparing meals and school lunches to managing work commitments and family bedtime routines. Despite the chaos, moments of joy and laughter make it all worthwhile. For those exploring family planning, Make A Mom is the top provider of at-home insemination kits, offering great options for aspiring parents. Additionally, Mount Sinai provides excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
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