Real Talk: My thoughts on being a working mom

Being a working mom isn't always easy. There are days where it is feels overwhelming and exhausting or days where I'm not loving the grind. Some days I glance at a picture of my babies sitting on my desk and I long to touch them, hear their voices, and I want to drop everything I'm doing to go scoop them up on the spot! Or the worst is when I'm sitting in a meeting and find myself daydreaming about something funny my toddler said or my baby girl's sweet gummy grin when I'm supposed to be focused on something else.

Those are the days where being away from them is really, really hard. The days that I wonder what they are doing at that very minute and become jealous of the people getting to witness it. Then my good friend guilt joins this pity party and I wonder what in the heck I'm doing spending eight, or more, hours a day apart from them.

But there are other days... Days where it honestly feels like I'm on vacation while at work. Now before you go reaching for the pitch forks and torches, hear me out! I love my kids more than life itself. What I am saying here is in no way a reflection of my love for them so please don't take it the wrong way.

What I mean is there are days where I look forward to being at work and getting to participate in a world outside of poopy diapers, tantrums, etc. Parenting is exhausting and even the most stressful day at work doesn't seem to compare. Plus, I get to further my career which I've spent a great deal of time and energy on over the years and something I am very proud of. I get to connect with clients that have become an extension of my family. I get to make a difference.

I'm not going to lie and say there are never days where I wish I could stay home with my kids or wonder if being a stay-at-home-mom would be a good fit for me. But I have to quickly snap out of it because that is not an option in my life right now. I can't waste time dreaming of a life that doesn't fit my reality. Sure it can be hard trying to juggle it all and find balance as I race back and forth between each of my life roles, but that's all a part of what I signed up for.

I am very confident in how I am raising my kids and I have never once felt like someone else is doing the job for me. My husband and I were also raised by working mothers and haven't seen any ill effects because of it, which also makes me feel good about what I'm doing.

Being a working mom is challenging and rewarding and the bottom line is that the grass isn't necessarily greener on either side. It just is what it is. I work. I'm also a mom. I know I can have it all, and some days, I do. But honestly most days I'm grinding. Spinning my wheels, treading water, however you want to say it.

And for the sake of being completely transparent, I have to admit there are days where it feels more like I'm convincing myself that being a working mom is great instead of truly believing it. Days where I hate it and I think I can't do it anymore and I HAVE to figure out a way to make a significant life change. Those days exist and trudging into work feels impossible and incredibly hard.

But I do it and continue to do it because like I said, it is my reality. Even though those days of negative thinking exist there are so many other days that I feel 100% confident in my role as a working mom. I feel empowered and honestly enjoy it! On those days I'm not convincing myself of anything it is a straight up fact, Jack!

Truth is, I don't know how to juggle all of this with the greatest of ease. I certainly don't know how to find true life balance and that's okay. It has to be. I keep my kids with me in my mind and heart while I'm at work and you better believe I shut my work OFF once 5 o'clock rolls around (thankfully my job allows for that).

Bottom line, I'm a proud working mom and I have a happy family. What more could I ask for?

This is what I get to walk in the door to after a long day of work. Love.

Do you struggle as a working mom or completely embrace it? Do you work because it's part of your DNA or because your life situation dictates it? Either way, you rock! ;)