Balancing Work and Motherhood: Can You Really Have It All?

Okay, so I’m now in my second week back at work, and it’s been… a lot. On one hand, I’m really enjoying it. But on the other hand? I am exhausted. You know that feeling when you’re just trying to keep your head above water, but then you also have these moments where you think, maybe I’m actually kinda good at this? That’s been me lately.

Here’s the good stuff first: I get to use my brain in a totally different way. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids, but sometimes the endless stream of snacks and tantrums made me feel like I was losing touch with my adult self. As a teacher I still deal with snacks and tantrums... but I get to have actual conversations with adults, and that’s honestly been so refreshing. Plus, I’m lucky to work with an amazing group of colleagues who really keep me going; my time with them is so recharging. It’s also nice to feel confident about something again; risking sounding conceded, I am good at my job and being there makes me feel confident, especially when I’ve spent so long in the mom trenches, often wondering if I’m even doing this whole parenting thing right.

But then, the struggle. The evenings? Total chaos. It feels like I blink and it’s bedtime. Getting home from work, feeding everyone, trying to connect with my kids, and somehow squeezing in some me-time (which, let’s be real, rarely happens)—it’s a lot. Weekends are no better. It’s not like I get a “day off” when I’m not working. I’m full-time mom mode, 24/7. And the hardest part? Missing my kids so much more than I thought I would. I thought I’d be okay with being away from them for a full day, but every time I leave the house, I feel like I’m pulling a piece of my heart with me.

And then there’s the mental load. I swear it’s like my brain never shuts off. Even when I’m not working, I’m thinking about everything: Did I pack their lunches? Did I answer that email? Did I spend enough quality time with my kids today? It’s like there’s always something I’m forgetting, and it’s so draining.

I’ve been reflecting a lot on all of this, and here’s where I’m at: is adulthood just about never feeling fully satisfied? I’m so grateful for everything I have—the family, the job, the opportunities—but I can’t help but wonder if there’s a perfect balance out there. How do you “have it all”? How do you make space to be the best mom while also having a meaningful career outside the home? I don’t have all the answers, but I think I’m starting to realize that maybe it’s not about perfection. Maybe it’s just about being fully present in the moments we can. Because in the end, that’s all we really have.