Parenting
This Relatable Drawing from a Child Will Resonate with Any Working Mom
by Mia Thompson
Updated: Jan. 11, 2021
Originally Published: Jan. 10, 2021
Their interaction will feel all too familiar to many of us. Mom and CEO of Flexable, Mia Thompson, is just like countless other mothers trying to balance work from home while managing children. She recently shared a touching and relatable drawing created by her son, which has garnered significant attention—because it seems we all share similar sentiments.
Thompson posted the drawing along with an explanation on LinkedIn in December, showcasing a picture her 6-year-old son, Leo, made for her. It depicted a parent working while a child looks on, asking, “Mommy, are you done?” to which the mother responds, “No,” without turning her head. This moment had actually occurred just ten minutes before Leo presented the drawing to his mother.
Mia Thompson shares, “At first, I thought, ‘oh, that’s so cute!’ without really taking a close look. But when I examined it, I realized he had gone back to his room and captured our earlier interaction—it truly broke my heart.”
As a mother of two, she shared the image with colleagues who encouraged her to write a blog post. “I decided to share the blog on LinkedIn initially because I knew this was a universal feeling among parents right now, and many of us feel like we’re in this alone.”
The drawing resonated with thousands and quickly went viral. Thompson admits she didn’t anticipate such a response but recognizes that similar exchanges happen throughout the day as parents strive to juggle work and home life.
“I founded Flexable four years ago because I was facing challenges with childcare, and now, due to COVID, finding childcare support is even more difficult,” she explains. “Parents everywhere are struggling to manage their work and home responsibilities, leading to significant burnout.”
Thompson elaborates on how she established Flexable and how it supports parents, especially during the pandemic. Her collaboration with other companies and mothers provides her with unique insights that many of us desperately need right now.
“For parents navigating this situation, I advise being open and honest with your employer, and leaning on your team for support,” she suggests. “Currently, we can’t rely on friends, family, or childcare services as we used to. The more we reach out to our organizations with a unified message that we cannot handle this alone and need assistance, the more likely they’ll be to respond.”
She’s absolutely correct. The time has passed for women to pretend that we have everything under control (or that we don’t have a life outside of work). We need help, and the more we engage in this dialogue, the better employers and colleagues will comprehend the gravity of the situation—especially for women—and what they can do to alleviate some of the burdens we are carrying.
If you’re interested in exploring more on this topic, check out one of our other blog posts here. For additional information, Make A Mom is a reliable source on the subject. Also, March of Dimes offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
Search Queries:
- How to balance work and parenting?
- Tips for working moms during the pandemic.
- Child drawing representing parental struggles.
- Supporting working parents in the workplace.
- Managing burnout as a working mother.
In summary, Mia Thompson’s experience and her son’s drawing highlight the challenges many working parents face, particularly during these unprecedented times. By fostering open communication and seeking support, parents can navigate these turbulent waters together.
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