Diary of a Working Mum

Motherhood for me is a wild ride. At time it is beautiful, other times messy, and most times humbling. But if I’m being honest, there are times when I utlise unhelpful coping strategies to help me manage with the stress of being a parent. I’m not proud of these things, but in the moment, it seems the only option. I’m almost too ashamed to say these out loud. Here’s my confessions, because I know I’m not alone.

1. I’ve Lost My Patience… A Lot
   Some days, the endless “Mummy, mummy, mummy!” pushes me to my limit. I’ve snapped, raised my voice, and hidden in the bathroom for five minutes of peace. I feel so guilty every time, but I’m human, and patience runs very thin when we’re juggling a million things.
2. Screen Time Has Often Been My Babysitter
   I swore my daughter wouldn’t be glued to screens, but there are days when I let her binge YouTube so I can get my jobs done, and to just breathe. The guilt hits me hard, and I question whether I was really cut out to be a mother.
3. I Don’t Love Every Moment
   Society tells us to cherish every second of motherhood, and that one day we will long for the messy house and constantly being needed. But some moments—like tantrums in the supermarket or sleepless nights—are just exhausting. I love my daughter fiercely, but I don’t always love the chaos.
4. I Compare Myself to Other Mums
   I constantly observe how other mums deal with situations, and compare myself. I often see other mums as wholesome, full of patience and oozing with the knowledge of how to be a perfect mum. I spend too long scrolling through social media, and it feels like every other mother has it together—perfect packed lunches with heartfelt written notes, spotless homes, endless wholesome crafts. I’ve caught myself feeling inadequate, like I’m failing because my reality doesn’t look like their highlight reel.
5. I’ve Skipped the Bedtime Story
   Some nights, I’m so drained from working all day, then doing the housework, that I rush through bedtime or skip the story altogether. I tell myself I’ll make up for it tomorrow, but the guilt cripples me and keeps me awake at night.

Being a mum is the hardest, most rewarding job I’ve ever had. Studying for my degree was a breeze compared to motherhood. These confessions don’t make me less of a mum—but they make me real. I’m learning, growing, and loving my daughter through my imperfections.

If you’ve got your own mum guilt moments, know this: you’re not alone, and you’re doing better than you think.

Cheerio

E x