Snippets of Memories: A Working Mom's Balancing Act

I walk down the stairs, listening to the floor vibrate as the kids work through the last gasps of boundless childhood energy. I sit at the kitchen table, shifting around the endless flyers of announcements changing the color of our family gathering place from brown to varying shades of pastels. I open my computer and muster the motivation to get a handle on our lives that quickly feels like it’s slipping away. I click on the calendar and start adding time blocks and watch as every week in May and June quickly fill up with award ceremonies, end-of-year celebrations, sport practices and summer camp schedules.

I wonder how we can do it all.

My phone buzzes with reminders of the different theme days of Teacher Appreciation week. I mentally note to finish buying the gifts and use the morning hours to get the kids to make hand-make cards, convincing myself that this time they will oblige without argument in the midst of trying to get everyone dressed and ready for school.

Teachers deserve so much. This is the least I can do.

I close my computer and stare at the Mother’s Day cards that have yet to be sent, wanting to make sure all the mother’s in our lives feel seen and appreciated. I still don’t know how to answer my husband about how I want to spend “my day”. I need to look at our Sunday schedule as we get closer, knowing hours of the day are already spoken for with soccer games.

Don’t be disappointed if Mother’s Day isn’t what you hope for, I remind myself. Everyone is doing the best they can.

I mentally detail the conversation I need to have around my schedule with my team and manager – how the next few months look. How my availability may change, but I will make up for it in the early morning and late evening hours.

I am a master of finding more time.

I don’t want to miss anything. I want to show up for my kids in those snippets of memories they will carry. I want them to remember looking into the audience and seeing their mom, not an empty chair.

I give my husband a hug and silently whisper “I know we can get through this.”

Just another transition for a working mom.