Working Mom

1 year ago...on a SNOW DAY home from work :)

So I saw this blog post online and I just laughed at how true this was...especially the 1st one!!  I joined Cargill's "Working Mothers" group recently because I've been at such a crossroad every since I came back to work.  I truly feel that I was meant to be a mom...this is my purpose, this is why I'm here, and I love every single second of what that means.  I FINALLY understand when people say "they love what they do".  I can, without a doubt, say that I LOVE being a mom....however, I sometimes feel "mediocre" because it's not my full time job -- and it's not something that I can devote 100% of my time to.  However, being part of the Working Mothers group has been such a great help...It's built up my network of working moms, it really helped keep me focused on my life goals and realize that my career can take a back seat for a bit while I get to focus on my family...but yet, I can still work and contribute in ways that still benefit me and my family.  I'm so lucky to work for a wonderful company who is flexible and allows me to do that!

You know you are a working mom when ...
You always feel mediocre. A mediocre mom, a mediocre wife, a mediocre employee, a mediocre friend, daughter, housekeeper, you name it. You want to give 100 percent to everything in your life so you are left feeling like you always come up short.

You know you are a working mom when ...

You wonder how you are ever going to get out the door. I cringe when I hear myself say “We've got to go” repeatedly each morning as my two-year-old son insists on putting on his own shoes, zipping and unzipping his jacket, getting himself into his car seat. I hate that I can’t relish in all that he is accomplishing because I always feel like I’m 15 minutes late in life.

You know you are a working mom when ...

You spend the day wondering what your child is doing at day care while you sit at a desk and spend 8-plus hours with co-workers and only 4 awake hours with your kids who mean the most to you.

You know you are a working mom when ...

You finally get your kids home and instead of sitting down and playing with them you have to prep and cook dinner.

You know you are a working mom when ...

It’s 7 p.m. and you are finally taking your first bite of dinner and all of sudden your son who refused to eat his dinner wants to eat yours, on your lap, even though you made him the same thing.

You know you are a working mom when ...

You know how much you’ve longed to be with your babies all day but you find yourself counting down the minutes to bedtime because there are still dishes in the sink and more work to be done.

You know you are a working mom when ...

You rock your baby to sleep and all you want to do is rock there with him forever but again works calls, or bills have to be paid or laundry has to be done, and on the nights when it doesn’t, you know you still have to get up early in the morning.

You know you are a working mom when ...

Your “Me time” is spent folding laundry, paying bills, etc.

You know you are a working mom when...
You spend your time "pumping" pinning birthday party ideas, educational activities, shopping, and finding fun activities to do with your kids!

You know you are a working mom when ...

The weekend finally rolls around and instead of getting to relax, you have to clean house/grocery shop because Saturday and Sunday are your only “free” days to do this.

You know you are a working mom when ...

You look at the clock and it’s 8 p.m. on Sunday and you wonder how two whole days with your babies came and went so fast and it’s already time for another workweek.

To all the other working moms out there, know you are not alone in your struggles. Know that you are doing the best you can. Know that your babies love you and feel loved. Know that what you do matters, even when you question it. Know that some day you will look back and be proud of all you accomplished. And finally, know that you were never mediocre, in fact, you are extraordinary.