Dear Working Mama — An Open Letter
Dear Working Mama, you’re doing great.
You are one heck of a woman. You’re so inspiring the way you accomplish everything. You are selfless in so many ways. You want so much for your children, and I applaud you for that.
You wake up earlier than anyone else. Quietly, you throw yourself together trying not to make much noise, so you can be ready before your littles wake up. Glancing in the mirror, you look and feel exhausted. You haven't had a good night’s rest in months, and today it shows. You start your morning routine a lot differently than you used to. Now, you're quite the minimalist when it comes to getting ready and putting on makeup. Your time is now for other people, but you still want to look okay before you leave the house.
You are beautiful, Mama.
You rush down the stairs, kicking yourself for not getting everyone's clothes and bags laid out the night before. You meant to, but once everyone went to bed, you got caught up on work emails. Today, there's gymnastics practice after work, and you knew you had to put extra hours in last night to be there on time. You're stressed that you didn't get everything done; you’re worried before the day has even started.
You are doing better than you know.
Walking back upstairs, it’s time to wake up each of your sleepy littles. They look so precious lying in bed, dreaming. You wish you didn't have to wake them. You feel guilty they have to live such insanely, busy lives. It saddens you that you don't get to spend nearly enough time with them in the mornings, but they smile when they see you. You are the first face they want to see in the morning.
They love you, Mama.
Ziplock bags of Cheerios, and Tommee Tippee’s with milk, you load the littles into the van. Thinking about the day ahead and the madness that it will bring, you have a million thoughts running through your head, wondering if you missed anything. Bottles, hats, gloves, coats, binkies, washed blankets. Is it show and share day? Are the girls out of diapers?
Your mind never stops.
As you pass them off to the sweetest daycare provider, you tear up because today might be the day you miss a special moment. One of your littles may crawl for the first time. One of them may say a word you haven’t heard, or this may be the day they take their first step. You will only get to hear about the "first," but they are loved here beyond measures. They are taken care of as if they are her very own children.
No need to worry, Mama.
Calls, emails, texts, reports, presentations. It consumes you, but you are passionate about the impact you have on people. It's rewarding to go to work every day and make a difference. You love feeling accomplished, and you deserve to. You're a hard worker and it shows.
Be proud, Mama.
You leave work with one thing in mind: picking them up, squeezing, and kissing them. You've missed them beyond measure and they have missed you. The day was long for everyone and you can't wait to get home. The evening will be filled with toddler feet running from the kitchen to the living room, grabbing on to daddy's legs as you watch in awe. Smile. Laugh. Be joyful. These littles are yours. You love them like no other person can love them.
Working Mama, you’re doing great.
