Work life balance

So, for those of you who don’t know, I wear a few hats: full-time logistics analyst, mom of two, and MBA student currently on a two-week break. Consider it my gift to my sanity!

No one tells you that reentering the workforce after kids is a double-edged sword. On one hand, I relish the escape from my adorable tornadoes at home, even if admitting that feels as scandalous as a squirrel crashing a fancy tea party. Yes, having adult conversations that don’t involve fictional blue trains is a joy, although the mom guilt sometimes hits harder than a rogue LEGO underfoot.

When I return home, it’s like a reunion scene from a rom-com—except with more chaos and less saxophone music. That said, there are days when I fantasize about being a stay-at-home mom who schedules enriching activities like reading, playtime, and educational field trips with military precision.

Alas, my family must endure my love for structure. My husband, although occasionally eye-rolling at my scheduling fervor, often asks for the day’s itinerary as if I’m the household cruise director.

One thing I focus on is ditching the phone after work. Once home, I dive into floor-time gibberish with Remy and navigate imaginary terrains with Ted’s cars. Ted has recently developed an addiction to climbing on my back while I gallop around the house like a caffeine-fueled pony, a delightful, if exhausting, ritual.

Most days, my mom guilt frowns upon laziness, thanks in part to those social media posts that suggest if you’re not crafting a DIY spaceship out of recycled bottles, you’re failing as a parent. But hey, moms, it’s okay not to be okay. If you’re giving all you’ve got, your kids notice more than you realize. So cut yourself some slack—we’re human, after all, and parenting is one of those “learn-on-the-job” gigs. And really, aren’t we all first-time moms with each new adventure?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some spine realignment to do before Ted demands another round of ‘Mommy Horsey.’