To the Amazing Working Mom,
It’s truly astounding what you accomplish daily. The viral BBC interview where a father’s children interrupted his serious discussion about democracy is a classic — yet, it brought a smile until a friend shared a humorous reimagining: what if it were a working mom in his place? The humor is relatable, but it also highlights a reality that isn’t always funny.
How do you rise each morning, ensuring both your little ones and yourself are presentable? Getting your hair done, applying makeup, dressing in something other than athleisure, and putting on grown-up shoes — yet somehow, you manage it all.
You prepare breakfast, pack lunches, and encourage those tiny humans to eat while simultaneously gearing up for the tasks awaiting you at work. It’s remarkable how you navigate the school drop-off, bestowing that crucial “one last kiss” before racing across town (or further) to arrive on time at your job.
You juggle meetings with pediatrician appointments, sick kids, and conference calls, all while brushing off the snide comments from those unaware of your struggles. I hear the half-joking remarks about “half days.” Yet, you persist and make it all work.
You’re the one who keeps track of permission slips and birthday gifts, all while crafting an important PowerPoint presentation for your colleagues. After a long day at work, you rush home to begin your next demanding role. You cook dinner, listen to your kids recount their days, and manage the bittersweet emotions about moments you wish you had been there for. You admire their drawings, help with homework, mediate disputes, and comfort them through their tears. Once bedtime stories are read and the lights are out, your evening isn’t over; you still have household duties, from making sure school uniforms are clean to finding time with your partner.
I can’t quite grasp how you do it, but you do.
You are the real unsung heroes, the true champions of feminism, and the backbone of our society. Your efforts often go unnoticed, as you make everything seem effortless. You ensure your children know they are your top priority, all while climbing the corporate ladder, paving the way for others, and preventing us from falling too far behind.
There’s often talk of division among mothers — stay-at-home moms judging those who prioritize careers, and working moms critiquing those who embrace domesticity. Personally, I’ve found that regardless of our choices, we all grapple with guilt and regret in some form. Those who stay home may feel their careers are stagnating, while those who return to work often feel torn.
Judgment has no place among us.
It’s often said it takes a village, and while you may have a supportive team, you remain the primary caregiver. Late at night, you are still “Mommy.” You’re the one who knows where everyone needs to be and ensures that chaos doesn’t ensue. You deserve recognition for managing an impossible job, regardless of the help you receive.
From my perspective, I want to express my gratitude to you, working mom. Thank you for undertaking the hardest job in the world and making it appear effortless. Thank you for dismissing judgment from those who don’t understand, because, frankly, you’re far too busy for that. Thank you for leaving meetings early, disregarding sighs, to be present for your children.
Every single day, you work towards normalizing a balance between work and family life, often at the expense of your own comfort. Thank you for embodying the importance of preserving who you were before becoming a parent, even if you’ve changed.
Thank you for keeping our metaphorical seats warm in the workplace, ensuring that when those of us who took longer breaks return, we find the path clear and safe.
I genuinely don’t understand how you do it, but I am so grateful for you. You are my hero.
With admiration,
A Thankful Mom