“I feel like I’m Superwoman.” This remark set off an unexpected debate at a family barbecue, with my partner, Mark, turning to me with wide eyes. “Are you implying I do nothing?!” he exclaimed. That wasn’t my intention, but the conversation took a turn, leading to a discussion about appreciation and feelings of being overwhelmed.
What I meant was simply this: while Mark is a caring and engaged father, he doesn’t juggle as many daily responsibilities as I do. This isn’t a dig at him or his parenting; it’s just a reality that often goes unrecognized.
My day starts with a rude awakening at 6:15 a.m., after barely five hours of sleep. By 6:25 a.m., I’m already in a frenzy, preparing breakfast, packing school lunches, and scrambling to find matching clothes. Time seems to fast-forward, and soon I’m rushing to get dressed while hollering for my daughter, Lily, to finish her breakfast and put on her shoes. I double-check her backpack to avoid another embarrassing mix-up like the time she went to school in a track suit on Pajama Day.
By 7:30 a.m., I’m dashing out the door, hair half-done, heart racing—only to receive congratulations from the school security guard for making it on time. However, I’m not even on my way to work yet.
Mark’s morning routine, on the other hand, is much simpler. He wakes at 7:00 a.m., showers, gets dressed, spritzes on some cologne, and heads out. Nice and easy.
After a long day, I return home around 7 p.m. to find the living room transformed into a playground, with toys, craft supplies, and my makeup sprawled across the floor. Thankfully, dinner is ready. It’s been 13 hours since I woke up, and I’m exhausted. Even during my lunch break, I was running errands. I hope Lily has finished her homework, but both she and Mark are waiting for me to help them get started, despite being home for two hours.
At 9:15 p.m., I’m physically and mentally drained. I read Lily a bedtime story, lying next to her until she falls asleep. Meanwhile, Mark is on the couch, engrossed in Netflix. I can’t even recall the last time I watched something that wasn’t for kids.
We manage to carve out some time together before he hits the hay, while I attempt to regroup alone until 12 a.m. I check emails, do some writing, and meditate before finally calling it a night at 1:30 a.m. And then, it all begins again at 6:15 a.m.
Now, it may seem like Mark is being inconsiderate, but that’s not the case. He does pick up Lily from school, plays with her, cooks dinner, and helps with homework. If I raise my voice enough, he even cleans up before I arrive home. It’s not a lack of appreciation on my part; it’s that he enjoys a lot more personal downtime than I do. He can focus on himself while I’m busy living up to the “Superwoman” title.
Moms naturally take on more because of a deep desire to ensure our children are cared for in every possible way. We pour ourselves into our roles, striving to excel at work while maintaining loving relationships and keeping a tidy home. And let’s not forget the need for some semblance of a social life, where we can unwind with friends.
We try to balance it all, often to the detriment of our own well-being. So, yes, we embrace the title of Superwoman—not to diminish anyone else’s contributions, but to highlight the extraordinary demands placed on mothers.
Balancing motherhood, work, and life is no small feat, and resources like Cleveland Clinic’s guide on intrauterine insemination can be invaluable for those navigating their parenting journey. If you’re exploring options for starting a family, check out our other posts on home insemination kits or consider couples’ fertility journeys for insight and support.
In summary, moms often wear many hats and juggle countless responsibilities while trying to maintain their own identities, leading us to earn the badge of Superwoman.
Keyphrase: Moms do more than dads
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