Dear Working Mom,
I often find myself in awe of your daily accomplishments. It’s a wonder to witness how you juggle so many responsibilities. We’ve all seen that infamous BBC interview where a dad was caught off guard when his children burst into the room during a serious discussion on democracy. It was a classic moment — until I came across a parody that depicted a similar scenario happening to a working mother. It struck a chord with me because it felt so relatable.
But honestly, there’s a deeper truth here. Working mom, I truly don’t know how you balance everything so seamlessly. Each morning, you rise and not only ensure that your little ones look presentable but that you also manage to pull yourself together — hair, makeup, outfits that are adult-friendly, and actual shoes instead of just comfortable ones. Yet, you do it.
You prepare breakfasts, pack lunches, and coax your children into eating, all while mentally gearing up for the challenges that await you at work. The school drop-off, complete with that crucial “one last kiss,” and then you dash across town (or further) to your workplace, arriving right on time — how do you make that happen?
You handle meetings, pediatrician appointments, and the unpredictability of sick children while managing conference calls and the bemused looks of those who might not understand why you need to leave promptly at 5 p.m. You keep track of permission slips that need to be returned, birthday gifts that must be bought and wrapped, all while crafting a PowerPoint presentation for important stakeholders. Somehow, you do it all.
After a long day at work, you return home to initiate your next demanding role. You prepare dinner, engage with your kids about their day — all while trying to suppress any heartache over the moments you’ve missed. You admire their artwork, supervise homework, mediate disputes, administer kisses to heal scrapes, manage bath time, and read bedtime stories. And once the lights are out, there’s still the matter of household management: ensuring school uniforms and sports gear are laundered and in the right places, sorting through mail, and carving out time for your partner.
You are the unsung heroes in this narrative, the true champions of modern motherhood. The immense tasks you accomplish often go unrecognized because you make it look effortless. You ensure your children feel prioritized, all while advancing in your career, paving the way for others behind you.
It’s been observed that different groups of women can sometimes judge each other — stay-at-home moms might criticize those who choose to work, while working moms could feel disdain for those who prefer the traditional homemaker role. Yet, from my perspective, I’ve never encountered this judgment. Instead, it seems that regardless of our choices, we each carry a sense of guilt and regret. Stay-at-home mothers often feel remorse for their stagnant careers, while working mothers grapple with the emotional tug of leaving their children.
Judgment has no place in this conversation. The notion that it takes a village is widely accepted, yet in those quiet, challenging moments, you are still their mom. You are the one who knows their schedules, the one who prevents chaos from erupting. You deserve immense recognition for executing what often feels like an impossible task, regardless of the support you may receive.
From my small perspective, I want to express my gratitude to you, working mom. Thank you for undertaking the most challenging job and making it appear simple. Thank you for dismissing the judgment of those who don’t understand your journey and for prioritizing your family over all else. You are leading the charge toward a normalized work-life balance for parents, even if it sometimes comes at the expense of your own self-esteem. Thank you for demonstrating that your identity before becoming a parent is something worth preserving.
Thank you for keeping the door open for those of us who might return to work after an extended break, ensuring that the path remains clear for us. I may never fully grasp how you manage it all, but I am incredibly thankful for you. You are truly my hero.
With admiration,
A Grateful Mom
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