De-influencing you as a work-from-home mom of 2
Allow me to de-influence you as a work-from-home mama of two. It looks a lot like:
Laundry on the bed, toys covering every surface, dishes waiting until after bedtime, sprinting through nap time to meet deadlines, eating lunch at my desk because I showered during my break, and projects that haven't been touched in weeks.
Some days it feels like l'm failing at everything. I feel like I can't show up for my kids 100%, I'm not the corporate girlie I used to be always hungry for more responsibility, and my house definitely could use some love. If I'm being honest, I'm drowning majority of the time. I spend my only free time after the babies are down cleaning up, doing laundry, and prepping to do it all over again the next day. I feel stuck like I'm just barely getting by and if I had the energy, l'd probably just cry but who has the time?
But somehow... it all still gets done because I'm a mom and that's what we do. Not perfectly. Not aesthetically.
And certainly not in the timeframe l'd like for it to, but at least my babies are cared for, the big ticket items at work always get done, and my house is generally clean by the time I close my eyes at night.
If you’re a wfh mama, I see you 🫶🏻
Being a work-from-home mom of two is a juggling act that many can relate to but few fully understand unless they've lived it. The relatable scenes described — laundry on the bed, toys everywhere, dishes deferred until after bedtime — perfectly capture the daily reality of countless parents trying to balance professional expectations and caregiving. Naptime often becomes the most productive time of day, a brief window when deadlines can be attacked and emails answered. Yet, even then, distractions abound — interruptions during Zoom calls or relying on screen time to manage the little ones while tackling work tasks. Many parents find themselves eating lunch at their desks and showering during breaks just to find small pockets of normalcy. Emotionally, it can feel overwhelming to constantly switch roles without feeling fully present in either. The sense of barely keeping afloat, of projects left untouched for weeks, and constant cleanup after the children are asleep are common themes among work-from-home parents. This phase is not about perfection or aesthetic tidiness; it’s about survival, doing what needs to be done so that children are cared for, work responsibilities are met, and the household is functional until the next day. Creating realistic expectations and embracing this imperfect season is crucial. It’s important to recognize that productivity comes in bursts and that managing interruptions and family needs concurrently is a skill in itself. Leaning on small routines, like coordinating pickups and drop-offs that allow for mobile work in the car, can help carve out essential time. Also, acknowledging that some projects will only get attention sporadically helps ease self-imposed pressure. Support networks, whether through online communities like #wfhmom and #relatablemom or close family and friends, play a vital role in emotional resilience. Sharing experiences openly fosters connection and reduces isolation. Ultimately, this phase of overwhelming multitasking and constant cleanup is temporary. The dedication to keeping all balls in the air, even if imperfectly, epitomizes the strength and love inherent in motherhood. For all work-from-home moms struggling to keep up, it’s reassuring to know they are seen, validated, and not alone.
