POPSUGAR UK

A Working Mom on Juggling It All: "I Know That I Seem Distracted, Because I am Distracted"

29/01/2020 - 08:06 PM

Jamie Johnson, a full-time working mother of two, recently wrote a poignant blog on what she wishes she could apologise to her coworkers for [1]. Although we never want mamas to feel guilty [2] about trying to do it all, Jamie's post definitely resonates, because hey, balancing parenting with a career is dang hard.

"Please stop judging me for leaving the office at exactly 5 p.m., but my kids are waiting to be picked up from the sitter," she wrote. "I know I'm missing this meeting, but my kid's preschool graduation is more important. I know I was late today, but I can't drop the baby off at daycare until 7:45 a.m. I know that I seem distracted, because I am distracted. I have a sick toddler and I am waiting to find out when I can get him into the pediatrician."

As much as Jamie works to be professional in her day-to-day, sometimes the lack of sleep and stress catches up with parents. "I don't want to look exhausted when I show up to the office, but I have been awake since 4:30 a.m. with an inconsolable kid," explained Jamie. "I know that my eyes look glazed over, but I spent the last twelve hours trying to soothe a baby to sleep. I didn't mean for my email to seem snippy, but I have a 5-year old who cried this morning because he didn't want to go to school, and I am worried about him."

"I don't want to look exhausted when I show up to the office, but I have been awake since 4:30 a.m. with an inconsolable kid."

While being a mom is great, the gig often comes with some not-so-pleasant surprises that ultimately can't be avoided. "Yes, I just banged my head against my desk. I received a text message that my kid has pink eye and I have to leave to get him even though this report is almost due," she said. "I know my eyes are very swollen right now. I spent last night crying because I am exhausted, never get to be alone, and haven't taken a hot shower in five years."

All in all, Jamie wants her colleagues to know that her occasional seemingly impatient response has nothing to do with them. "Sorry that I was short with you, but I spent the last hour arguing with a toddler over the necessity of wearing pants to the babysitter," explained Jamie. "I know I am supposed to leave my personal life at the door when I come to the office, but when you are a mom to two small kids, that is hard to do."


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/parenting/mom-psa-about-juggling-parenthood-with-full-time-job-47160839