Finding my Balance as a Full-Time Working Mum
Lisa OShare
After spending lots of time at home with my little one, transitioning back to full-time work has been quite the journey. Now, over a month in, I've gained some surprising insights about life as a working mother that I will share. First, I'll start by saying I would rather be home with my child but financially that is not feasible for us at the moment. I like my work but who wouldn't want late starts in PJs, long lunches and mum dates all year round? Don't get me wrong, parenting is SO MUCH HARDER than going to work every day (and I work with teenage girls) but it was nice to watch my daughter grow and be there for every milestone. OK, on to my insights:
1. It takes a village: I'm incredibly fortunate to have grandparents who care for my daughter during work hours. They feed her, play with her and love her as much as I do. While I was initially worried about being away, seeing her develop these precious relationships with them has been so heartwarming and honestly, I would never survive full-time work without them.
2. Parental Partnership: One of the most crucial lessons I've learned is that successful working parenthood is built on a foundation of solid communication and teamwork. It's not just about dividing tasks - it's about maintaining a constant, open dialogue about everything - discussing how our daughter's day went, what needs to be prepared for tomorrow, and who's handling which responsibilities. We've learned to share the love equally and work through the logistics. The reality is that when both parents work, you're not just managing a household - you're running a complex operation that requires the precision of a well-oiled machine and the flexibility of a yoga instructor. Some days, one parent might need to take on more while the other handles an urgent work matter or when one just wants to attend a social event.
3. Two people in one: What's fascinating is how I've become somewhat of a chameleon - shifting between two roles seamlessly. At school, I'm the same dedicated teacher I've always been, focused on my students and curriculum. The moment I step through our front door, I transform back into mum-mode, ready for cuddles and playtime. It's like the two worlds don't even cross. Someone asked me the other day if I am a different teacher now that I am a parent and I don't think I am.
4. Be Prepared: The key to making this work? Planning - lots of it. Sundays are now sacred meal prep days, while Saturdays are dedicated to getting the house in order. Weekends aren't just weekends anymore; they're reset buttons for the week ahead. The weeks have been flying by faster than they ever have before.
5. Letting go of routine: Perhaps the most reassuring discovery has been watching how adaptable children truly are. My little one has adjusted to our new routine with surprising ease, proving that kids are often more resilient than we give them credit for. In saying that, every day is different. Some days she has two naps, other days she has one. Sometimes there is a late car nap, other times it is an early bedtime. Both sets of grandparents and my husband and I just roll with the punches and honestly, it's actually made our lives easier and less stress-free! Flexy is sexy.
To all the working moms out there navigating similar waters - we're in this together, enjoy the beautiful chaos and I hope one day we can all retire early.
Rest easy,
Lisa x
