Parenting Insights
Updated: Dec. 16, 2020
Originally Published: Sep. 23, 2017
Images via Facebook
Every mom knows the struggle of juggling morning chaos, and Sarah Johnson is no exception. As a working mother of four, she faces the daily challenge of getting her kids ready and out the door before she can even settle into her office chair. With a message for those who think strolling into work at 9:00 AM is a breeze, she proclaims: “Enough.”
In a recent Facebook post, Johnson detailed her morning routine, from the moment she wakes up to when she arrives at her workplace. Her day begins with the monumental task of rousing “four sleepy humans.” As anyone with kids can relate, it’s no small feat. “Some I gently nudged, others I coaxed awake, and one I had to literally drag out from under the covers when the gentle approach failed,” she shared. Amid this chaos, she still manages to brew herself a cup of coffee and retrieve a wet pull-up from beneath her bed—proof that morning triumphs often come with their own set of challenges.
Johnson also tends to the mundane yet vital tasks that often go unnoticed, like flushing forgotten toilets and urging kids to brush their teeth, knowing full well they might skip it. She navigates the noise of her children while coordinating drop-offs and school bus schedules. Once they’re off, you’d think it’s smooth sailing for her—but it’s far from that.
“I dismantled pillow forts, untangled Paw Patrol underwear from table lamps, and tossed a load of laundry into the washer… I fed the dog, wiped down counters, turned off the TV, coffee maker, and countless lights before locking the door,” she recounts. Yes, she did all that because if she doesn’t handle it now, it will all still be waiting for her when she returns home—along with dinner prep, homework duties, and bedtime routines. Johnson’s frustration echoes a sentiment many parents share: Why can’t others grasp the sheer volume of what we juggle every day?
By the time she reaches her desk, her Fitbit reveals she’s already walked 2.5 miles. At that moment, she articulates what so many of us feel: “If walking 2.5 miles without going anywhere at all isn’t the epitome of this stage of life, I don’t know what is.”
Johnson isn’t seeking sympathy; she knows she’s fortunate. What she truly desires is a bit of understanding and acknowledgment that parenting is no walk in the park. “As a mother of four young kids, I’ve spent over a decade apologizing for being late, unavailable, or simply scattered,” she explained in an interview. “That post came from a place of frustration, stemming from the constant need to apologize for things I’m not necessarily sorry for.”
Regardless of whether parents work from home, in an office, or are solely focused on their kids, the workload is immense. When they’re not at their “day job,” they’re planning, organizing, and managing their second job—raising children.
“To all the working mamas, I feel you deeply. But to ALL the moms out there, I’m raising my cup of now-cold coffee to you. Keep doing your thing, whatever that entails,” she emphasizes. “Just don’t let it look like judgment. None of us have time for that nonsense. We all have work to do.”
For additional insights on parenting, check out this article on the importance of family dynamics and explore resources like this one on IUI success for anyone considering at-home insemination options, including kits like the BabyMaker.
In summary, Sarah Johnson’s morning routine exemplifies the relentless energy and dedication that mothers pour into their daily lives, often leaving little room for recognition. Her journey resonates with countless parents who share the same struggles and victories, reminding us that every small win deserves acknowledgment.