There’s a version of working motherhood that people talk about—calendar hacks, meal prep Sundays, color-coded routines. But then there’s the version that happens in real life: daycare drop-offs with forgotten lunchboxes, work calls taken in the car, and a pile of clean laundry that’s been living on the couch all week.
I’m a full-time working mom, and most days I feel like I’m moving in two different worlds at once. One world runs on deadlines, emails, and leadership goals. The other runs on hugs, bedtime stories, and toddler snack negotiations. And in between is me—trying to show up fully, even when I feel like I’m split in half.
This post isn’t about perfection. It’s about honesty. It’s about how I’ve learned to give myself grace, how I try to lead with intention in my career and at home—and how I’m still learning every single day.
Two Worlds, One Heart
No matter how organized I try to be, the truth is this: being a full-time working mom often means feeling like I’m never in one place long enough to settle.
At work, I’m focused. I’m leading, problem-solving, advocating for others. I’m in meetings where important decisions are made. I’m creating systems and caring deeply about people.
But part of me is always mentally clocked into home, wondering how the day is going for my little one. Is she napping okay? Did she eat enough? Did I remember to pack the right snacks?
Then I get home, and the shift is instant. I drop my bag, change out of my work clothes, and step into the warm, chaotic rhythm of family life. Dinner, playtime, bath time, bedtime routines. And when the house finally settles into quiet—I often sit in that silence thinking, Did I show up well today? Was I present enough?
Both spaces matter to me deeply. And I’ve learned that honoring them both doesn’t mean doing them perfectly. It means showing up with heart, over and over again.
What a Real Day Looks Like
Let me keep it real—a typical day in my life looks like this:
- Wake up before the rest of the house (if I’m lucky). Coffee, a few minutes of quiet.
- Toddler wake-up, breakfast, and the circus act of getting everyone out the door.
- Drop off at caregivers!
- Commute, mentally prepping for the workday.
- Full day of meetings, emails, project planning, rounding, and leading teams.
- Quick calls to check on the baby or home.
- Drive home, dinner prep, toddler playtime.
- Bath, books, bedtime wind-down.
- Clean up. Reset the house. Catch up on work—or crash early if I need to.
There are days where it all flows. And there are days where nothing goes according to plan. I’ve learned to stop chasing perfection and instead create rhythms that help me breathe, not hustle harder.
What Helps (Most Days)
I won’t pretend I have it all figured out, but here are a few systems that help me stay somewhat sane:
- Shared calendars: If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not happening. I am a planner enthusiast so it is a must that everything goes into my outlook or calendar.
- Meal shortcuts: Grocery delivery, pre-chopped veggies, and rotating go-to meals.
- Simple routines: Mornings and evenings that are less about doing more and more about doing what matters.
- Letting go: Some days we order takeout. Some days I don’t fold the laundry. The house can be clean later—my child won’t be this little forever.
The Guilt, the Gratitude, and the Growth
There are days where guilt creeps in—when I miss a school event because of a meeting, or when I come home mentally drained with nothing left in the tank. That guilt is real. But so is the gratitude.
I’m grateful for the ability to pursue a career I’m passionate about. For my husband, who shows up and supports our family every step of the way. For childcare providers who love on our daughter while I’m away.
I’ve also grown. Motherhood hasn’t made me less focused or capable—it’s made me more. More empathetic. More efficient. More grounded in my “why.”
I’ve learned that I can be ambitious and tired. I can lead in my career and be the safe place my child comes home to. It’s not about balance—it’s about giving what I can, where I am, and learning to let the rest go.
A Note to Other Full-Time Working Moms
If you’re reading this and nodding through the screen—I see you.
You are not alone in the juggle. You’re not behind. You’re not falling short.
You are showing up in all the ways that matter—whether it looks picture-perfect or not.
You are building something beautiful. You are enough.
Haus of Qora 
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