Being a working mom isn’t easy. Between rushing to make your 9a.m. team meeting with coffee spilling down your shirt after dropping your teething toddler off at daycare, to picking them up after an exhausting day, both of you on the verge on tears, I think it’s pretty fair to say, no one can do it all. 

Indeed, one of the biggest mistakes every new mom makes is simply trying to do too much. I know – I’ve been there. In fact, I think a lot of us working mothers have. The struggle between wanting to regain a little of who we were before having our babies and maintaining our sanity is real!  

We know all too well that becoming a mother is no easy ride. In fact, it is one of the most challenging journeys a woman can go on, however, learning to uphold our limits can make it that little bit easier. To help you on your motherhood journey, below are a few of my own recommendations on how to avoid overextending yourself and trying to achieve that unrealistic supermom status.

1. There is no return to “normal”

It is so tempting after having a child – especially your first! – to want to return to normal. I think we can all recognize that ache to get back to our regular routines, whether that’s the office or the gym. However, especially in the early days when our baby or toddler still requires a lot of our time, energy, and devotion, this may not be possible.

Instead, it’s okay to trust that one day you will be back there, and for now simply enjoy the ride of early motherhood. It won’t last forever, and one day, you will wish you could have those early cuddly days with your child back once again!

2. It’s okay if your house is a mess

We’ve all been there! The dishes are piling up, the laundry isn’t done, and your relatives are due over within half an hour. However, instead of beating yourself up, or desperately dashing the mess into a cabinet, I say, let it go and instead, remind yourself of what a fantastic job you are doing raising and loving a brand-new human every single day!

3. Remember, your health is a priority too

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes we make as new mothers is forgetting that we are humans too. Society puts so much pressure on us, as women, to be able to do it all, it is very tempting to expect it of ourselves too. However, we must remind ourselves that it is virtually impossible, and that it’s okay to prioritize ourselves too.

      Whether that means delaying returning to work for another few works – or deciding not to return at all to hiring a cleaner to help us with the household chores, we must remember that absolutely no one – male or female – can do it all.      So, with that in mind, why not put your feet up, grab the remote, and order in your favorite takeaway this evening! After all, you deserve it girl!

I hope this blog post encouraged you to give yourself some grace. You are doing amazing!