“There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” – Jill Churchill
Every morning at 6:30 AM, I step into the kitchen, coffee in hand, eyes half-closed, preparing breakfast while mentally checking off the day’s meetings, school projects, and groceries. I’m a software engineer, a mother of two boys, and someone who still forgets where she kept the car keys.
And I know I’m not alone.
The Beautiful Chaos in working Mothers’ lives:
Working mothers in today’s world are like being on a tightrope — with high heels on. You want to give your all at work, but your child’s fever, that unread bedtime book, or forgotten tiffin often pulls you in another direction.
I remember hosting a project review once while sitting on the bathroom floor, whispering so I wouldn’t wake my toddler to sleep beside me. The call went well — but I cried afterward, wondering if I was failing at both roles.
“You can do anything, but not everything.” – David Allen
This quote hit me hard when I was trying to be Superwoman — managing sprints at work and playdates at home — until burnout whispered, then screamed.
Guilt, Grace & Growth:
The guilt of not doing enough is a constant companion for working mothers. But here’s what helped me turn the tide:
- Letting go of perfection: My son once drew a picture of our family where I had a laptop in one hand and a ladle in the other. He said, “Mumma’s a superhero.” That was my reminder — our kids notice the love, not the laundry piles.
- Setting boundaries: I started logging off at a fixed time. Saying “no” didn’t make me less ambitious. It made me present.
- Finding my tribe: Conversations with fellow moms — over coffee or even a 3-minute voice note — gave me sanity. We shared hacks, hope, and humor.
Also Read: Woman Times April’25 Edition
What Can Help?
- Proactive Planning: To stay ahead of the daily rush, I plan proactively — from deciding the next day’s menu to chopping vegetables the night before. I also make sure school bags, uniforms, and to-do lists are ready, so mornings start smoothly without last-minute stress.
- Shared responsibilities: It took me a while to stop being the default parent. Delegating to my husband, involving kids in chores — it’s not about help, it’s about shared parenting.
- Workplace empathy: Thankfully, my organization supported flex schedules and judged results, not login hours. This made the biggest difference.
But even we need rest. We need to pause, breathe, and remember that balance isn’t a destination — it’s a rhythm.
To every working mother reading this: You are enough. Not because you do it all, but because you show up, every single day — with love, strength, and unmatched courage.
Let’s stop chasing perfection and start celebrating our perfectly imperfect journeys.
