From online articles to television and film, representations of working mothers abound. While some of these narratives are insightful, humorous, or touching, they often rely on the same assumptions—that we’re all guilt-ridden, overwhelmed, and perpetually exhausted, yet fiercely career-focused. While these portrayals might carry some truth, they certainly don’t encapsulate the entire experience. To challenge these stereotypes, here are five realities of being a working mom:
1. No Guilt About Working
I don’t feel guilty about clocking in for work; my guilt surfaces when I serve my son cold cereal for breakfast or let him binge-watch cartoons for three hours. As a mom, I grapple with guilt over many things, but my job isn’t one of them. On my first day back to work after maternity leave, instead of guilt, I felt a wave of relief. I realized that I was entrusting my son to capable caregivers who had more baby know-how than I did. Now that he’s a toddler, I cherish how much confidence he gains from spending time away from me. Sure, he might cry at drop-off sometimes, but there are days he’s not eager to leave daycare!
2. Spit-Up-Free Zone
Can we please retire the cliché of working moms heading to the office with spit-up on their shoulders? I braced myself for this scenario when I returned to work, even considering keeping an extra outfit in my car. While I won’t deny that some moms have experienced this, it’s far from universal. I’ve dealt with snot on my pants and crumbs in my pockets, but spit-up on my attire? Never happened.
3. Respect for Stay-at-Home Moms
Where did the notion come from that working moms and stay-at-home moms are rivals? This misconception makes it difficult to offer genuine compliments without sounding patronizing. I once thought that leaving a full-time job to stay home with a child was a walk in the park—until I actually had one. Caring for a child is strenuous, both physically and emotionally. I appreciate the mental shift that work provides, which keeps me balanced. When I say I respect stay-at-home moms, I mean it with the same admiration I hold for our military personnel. You’re doing a job I simply couldn’t manage. Seriously—mad respect.
4. Voicemail Saves the Day
In the early days of daycare, I would jump at my phone every time it rang, fearing the worst. Thankfully, most calls began with, “It’s not an emergency, but…” and ended with trivial matters like missing shoes or low milk supplies. Sure, I’ve had to leave work early for legitimate reasons like fevers or pink eye, but I learned that daycare staff will leave a message in those cases. So, as long as I periodically check my voicemail, I can keep my workday running smoothly without panicking at every call.
5. The Best Part of My Day
Without a doubt, picking up my son from daycare is the highlight of every weekday. I love peeking through the classroom window before entering to see what he’s up to—whether he’s coloring, banging on a toy drum, or attempting to climb a table. When our eyes meet, he runs toward me with excitement, or he takes my hand to show me something special—a toy, a drawing, or a sticker. It warms my heart to know he has his own little world and wants to share it with me, even if he can’t express it in full sentences yet.
For more insights on parenting and creating your family, check out our resource on home insemination kits. If you’re considering the journey of parenthood, March of Dimes offers excellent information on pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, being a working mother is a unique experience filled with its own set of truths that differ from the clichés we often see in media. Each day brings its own challenges and joys, and it’s essential to embrace them all.
Keyphrase: working mother truths
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]