An Ode to The Working Mom

Dear Working Momma,

I have to start this off with a little apology. For months, I have been watching you from afar and feeling a little jealous. Every time I’m hauling my 50 pound diaper bag around the grocery store at lunch time and I see you pop in on your break carrying just a purse…? I’m not proud to admit it, but, I see your cute outfit, your makeup done and those super cute high heels and my green eyed monster takes note. It must be so nice to just run a few errands without sticky hands trying to steal your phone. To stand in line at Starbucks and not have to talk to anyone or worry about anything. To listen to NPR on your drive back to the office instead of Toddler Pandora. Then you get back to work and you flex your mental muscles fixing problems and tackling projects. You collaborate with other grown ups and you get to pee whenever you want — by yourself!!!

However, I now see the error of my ways and want to take this moment to publicly apologize.

My toddler and I have had the good fortune of staying home together since he was born about a year and a half ago. In that time, we’ve really gotten good at staying in pajamas till Lunch and sticking to a pretty set schedule. This week, however, we had a busy calendar full of playdates and appointments.

Tuesday Morning – I set an alarm, and we both got up, and hit the ground running. There was no quick Disney Channel Snuggle on the couch while I had my first cup of coffee. I strapped him into his highchair and made breakfast, packed our lunches and got everything prepped for dinner. I felt kinda like a boss. We had a nice busy day, got home in the evening and ate dinner as I family. I couldn’t find time to sweep the kitchen, which I usually do at least once a day, but, no biggie. I could get it in the morning! I felt pretty good about keeping everything together and fell asleep smiling.

Wednesday Morning – The alarm went off, a little earlier than the morning before, and neither one of us were really ready to wake up and conquer the day. Especially my little one who was a bit crankier than usual at breakfast. I decided the kitchen floor would just have to wait till evening while I noticed that even the dog was avoiding some areas of discarded High Chair crumbs. I slapped a smile on, though, and cooked the eggs, packed our lunches, and made a crockpot for dinner so I could tackle the kitchen that evening – boom! Dinner was off the list so I could use THAT time to clean!

We had a super busy day and got home later than expected, with no naps. My little guy needed some extra attention that he hadn’t really gotten that afternoon in the hustle and bustle, so we snuggled on the couch instead of sweeping and mopping.I knew he needed his momma, but, it felt like my mental “To-Do” was getting longer and longer while I sat with him on the couch. I stayed up later than I normally would to make sure all the laundry made it through the dryer and took note of the supplies I needed to pick up at the store the next day. I felt tired in a way that felt similar to having a newborn. My checklist seemed to be getting longer by the minute but I had zero energy left in my body and called it a night.

Thursday Morning – We overslept. We scrambled to get cleaned up and dressed, and instead of the eggs and toast we usually eat together in the morning, my kiddo would have to eat a leftover piece of sourdough and a squeeze pouch of applesauce in the car. (my super clean car and carseat that have never been eaten in… ugh!) The outfit I had mentally picked out for my appointments didn’t fit. It was super cute before I had these Mom Hips, but, none of my business casual clothes were really working the way they used to. I finally settled on an oversized top that hid the muffin top my slacks were creating and we were out the door. We were running a little behind, but, I was sure with some good highway luck, we’d make it on time. I could do my mascara in the car, drop him off at my sister’s house for a few hours and… CRAP! When was I going to have time to go the the store? We weren’t going to get back till almost dinner time. Where were all my hours going?!?

Ladies, it was only 3 days. Three days of trying to balance the mental and physical workload. Three days of my schedule, his schedule, traffic and staying up late to play catch up. Three days of hauling him and his supplies around and hoping like hell I hadn’t forgotten something important and mentally making contingency plans just in case. Three days of feeling like 24 hours isn’t NEARLY enough time to do what I needed to do, take care of the family, clean the house, make the food, fold the laundry and maybe take a little break for myself.

So to all you working Mommas, I see you. I see you on your break at the grocery store trying to remember which of your kids friends is allergic to which tree nut. I see the way your mind is running on overdrive when you feel like you’ve forgotten something but can’t figure out what it is. I see you getting lunches packed, the schedule straightened out so everyone makes it to practice in the evenings and dinner on the table. I see you showing up to the kids party on a Saturday when all you want is to sleep in and stay in your sweatpants for a few slow hours. I see you rearranging your priorities for the billionth time and bumping yet another chore off the list to sit and listen to someone’s day.

I bow down Momma, and I think you are CRUSHING it!! If you need help getting something at the store for that party you volunteered to bring snacks to, we go on Monday Mornings and Wednesday Afternoons. Hit me up.

Love,

A Stay at Home Momma