My Statement Regarding Being a Working Mom

Being a working mom is not easy.



There, I said it.



It's not easy waking up extra early, after already being woke up several times that night, to prepare myself and my child for the day.



It not easy thinking about all the cute things my daughter did the night before and knowing that she is doing a thousand other cute things that I am missing.



A clean house? What's that?



A completely homemade dinner? I think I used to cook before I gave birth. It's been so long, I can't remember.



What do I do with my time? I nurse all evening and all night and express on my breaks at work. I change poopy diapers, bathe a screaming child, cuddle with my little love, smile as she plays with her daddy, work hard to put her to sleep at night, enjoy the hour of peace with my husband, and then wake up and prepare myself to work all day in front of a computer screen.



Her smile flashes through my mind at least a 100 times while I'm working. Her giggles ring in my ear. The imprint made by her hand lovingly rubbing my face is still there. And it kills me when I think about it.



No one told me that working away from her would be so difficult. I was told I would get used to it, that it wouldn't bother me after a couple of weeks. I think that those people are in denial.



Undoubtedly, I would much rather be with my daughter all day.



That being said, I'm doing what I have to do and I'm working to embrace that.



This was not a decision made lightly. I believe that many mothers who choose to work do so with a heavy heart. We love our kids and love to be with them.



But, in my experience, we're realistic about what we can and cannot do. And we work hard to provide for them.



Bills have to be paid. Health insurance, while not all it is cracked up to be, is necessary. I want the very best for my daughter and, sadly, that comes hand-in-hand with my need to work.

Still, I am working on being the best mommy I can be. There are a lot of hats to wear and I'm doing my best to wear them in style and not let my "ideal" get in the way of truly cherishing my daughter.