Moms are doing so much. Like, a truly bonkers amount. They’re organizing school lunches, booking dentist appointments they’ll forget to put on the calendar (guilty), keeping track of how many chicken nuggets are too many (spoiler: the limit does not exist), and on top of that, trying to be full-blown humans with dreams, careers, hobbies… and maybe even sleep?
It’s wild.
But it’s also very real. Every day, moms are finding ways—some messy, some magical—to piece together lives filled with purpose, family, and work. And no, it’s not always balanced. Sometimes it looks like typing with one hand while holding a feverish toddler in the other. Sometimes it’s asking very existential questions in the school pickup line. But always, it’s brave.
The Myth of “Balance” (Ha. Good One.)
Let’s just throw out the word “balance,” okay? Because, truthfully, there’s never a perfectly weighted scale. It’s more like juggling flaming swords while someone throws fruit at you. One day work gets 90% of your brain. The next, it’s the baby’s weird rash that takes over.
And that’s okay.
The idea that moms should gracefully glide between roles is just… not it. What’s really happening is improvisation. Prioritization. A very delicate dance between “I need to show up for this meeting” and “my kid just flushed a sock down the toilet.”
Purpose Doesn’t Clock Out
Here’s the thing: purpose doesn’t only live in a job description. For many moms, purpose can be found in a million little places. It could be in the bedtime stories, or the PTA bake sale, or the side hustle selling handmade soaps from the kitchen sink. (Yes, the one where the sock was.)
And sure, for others, that sense of fulfillment is tied to a career—maybe even one that helps others. Like, say, working in the nonprofit world.
By the way, if you’ve ever asked yourself what is nonprofit management, it’s basically the behind-the-scenes magic that makes mission-driven organizations run. It involves juggling operations, fundraising, community programs, and about 4,000 things that never make it into the job title. Many moms gravitate toward this kind of work because—surprise, surprise—they care deeply. And they’re very used to working with limited sleep and limited resources. Total pros.
Career Pivots and Real-Life Detours
Motherhood has a funny way of flipping the script. Plans change. Priorities shift. And suddenly, the job that once felt like everything might not fit anymore. That doesn’t mean moms stop dreaming—it means they rewrite the dream. Often more than once.
Some go back to school. Some start businesses or non-profits. Some switch industries entirely. Some stay home and come back years later with a fresh fire. None of it’s wrong.
Also, let’s be real: career detours can feel really scary. There’s imposter syndrome. There’s resume gaps. And yes, there’s that one person at the reunion asking “So… what do you do now?” with the emotional sensitivity of a stapler.
But so many moms find strength in the zig-zag. There’s a certain grit that comes from handling chaos at home and still wanting to grow as a person. That drive to do something meaningful, even when it feels like the world only sees you in mom jeans and a minivan.
The Invisible Load Is… Very Heavy
You know what’s not on the calendar but takes up all the brain space? The invisible load. It’s the mental spreadsheet moms are constantly updating: Did I RSVP to the birthday party? Are there clean socks? What’s for dinner that everyone will eat? (Spoiler again: nothing.)
This load doesn’t magically disappear just because moms also have a meeting at 9 a.m. with the board. Or need to network. Or hit a deadline. It’s just… stacked on top. Navigating work while carrying this load requires systems. And sticky notes. And possibly crying in the car occasionally (you’re not alone, promise).
Some days, you slay. Other days, the dishes win. Human.
Support Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Lifeline
No one’s meant to do this alone. And yet, a lot of moms feel like they should.
It’s bananas.
Whether it’s a partner, a grandparent, a babysitter, a neighbor, or even just a really good group chat, having a village makes a huge difference. Even emotional support is massive—someone to say “You’re doing great” when everything feels like a hot mess.
Support at work matters too. Flexible hours, understanding managers, and realistic expectations can be the difference between burnout and actually thriving. Companies that recognize the unique value moms bring (time management? crisis control? multitasking?!) are the ones doing it right.
And moms? You don’t have to be everything for everyone. Seriously. Ask for help.
Redefining “Success”
Here’s a radical idea: what if success didn’t look the same for everyone?
For some moms, it’s climbing the corporate ladder. For others, it’s starting that Etsy shop. For many, it’s just making it through the day without completely losing it. (Been there.)
Success might be working part-time. Or full-time. Or building an empire between nap schedules. Or saying, “Not right now. Later.”
The world is finally starting to understand that the linear career path doesn’t exist anymore. And thank goodness. Because moms? They’ve been weaving their own zigzag paths for a long time. And they’re doing it with humor, hustle, and heart.
Tiny Humans, Big Lessons
Ironically, motherhood teaches a lot about leadership. Patience. Compassion. The art of repeating yourself 47 times without totally snapping. And maybe most importantly, the value of showing up—even when it’s hard.
Moms learn to pivot fast. They know how to prioritize like a boss. They have vision, strategy, and deep emotional intelligence. And they’re very used to cleaning up messes—literal and metaphorical.
So while the world sometimes sees moms as having to “step back,” the truth is, they’re leveling up in ways that aren’t always on paper. Navigating purpose, family, and work isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up—messy bun, forgotten permission slip, third cup of coffee in hand—and doing the best you can.
It’s okay to not have it all figured out.
It’s okay to change directions.
It’s okay to really love your work and still really love your kids—and to sometimes feel like you’re failing at both. You’re not.
So here’s to the moms making it work in their own messy, magical, powerful ways. You’re not just doing enough.
You’re doing something extraordinary.
Even if you did forget picture day. Again.
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