The Reality of Being a Working Mum

That One Call Can Unravel Everything

You stare at your phone, feeling that sinking dread. You rehearse the apologies you’ll send to clients.

And brace yourself for that one reply that sticks in your head way longer than it should:

• “This is really unprofessional.”

• “I took the morning off for this.”

• “I’ll go elsewhere next time.”

  
  

You know it’s unfair, but it still cuts like a paper cut on a sunburn.

Because that one sentence? It can eclipse every single kind, grateful, 5-star review you’ve ever earned.

It whispers: Maybe I’m not cut out for this. Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’m letting everyone down — including myself.

No One Sees the Chaos Behind the Dream

Ever feel like you’re running a business, raising a tiny tornado, answering client DMs, and keeping someone alive on pizza, Weetabix, and Calpol — all before 10 a.m.?

The truth? Most people have no idea what it really takes to keep all the wheels turning when you’re a working mum with big dreams and a toddler who thinks 3 a.m. is party time.

They don’t see you waking before sunrise to post content, batch Reels, and reply to “Hey hun, what’s your prices?” — all while digging under the couch for the missing sock that disappeared in 2023.

They don’t see your brain running 87 tabs at once like a cracked-out Google Chrome:

• Finish editing that before-and-after

• Reschedule the client (nursery called again)

• Chase the deposit

• Post the promo

• Reply to “Do you have availability at 7:43 p.m. this Thursday?”

• And the 80,000 other things you juggle daily!

  
  

All while being emotionally present for a tiny human who just wants to run riot, cover your face in sticky snacks, and practice their “singing” at full volume — because why not at 6 a.m.? 🥴😂

And that look they give you when you’re on your phone?

Put it down. Be with me.

Moments of Guilt

Cue the guilt that sticks like glitter on everything:

• When you’re building a new offer and they’re playing solo (read: destroying the living room with felt tips).

• When you’re voice-noting a client while pretending to watch Cocomelon for the hundredth time.

• When your brain plans your next business move mid-bubble bath — but it’s not theirs.

  
  

They don’t see that you’re not just doing this for money.

You’re doing this to prove you can.

Because your dream didn’t vanish the moment you gave birth — it got louder.

And yet the world expects you to pick a side.

Motherhood or ambition.

But you?

You’re doing both — in the same 24 hours, with the same burnt-out brain and dry shampoo.

No one sees it.

No one sees the tears you blink back when a client leaves a snarky message after you had to cancel because your child was ill.

The Impact of One Bad Review

That One Bad Review? It’s Never Just About The Review

You know the one.

You were already exhausted, rearranged everything, and still had someone say:

• “She’s not reliable.”

• “Poor communication.”

• “Wouldn’t rebook.”

  
  

One person. One comment. But it loops like a broken record in your head.

It echoes in your most vulnerable moments:

• At night

• When bookings are low

• When your child is ill

• When you wonder if this dream is costing too much

  
  

Maybe no one else saw it, but you did.

You carry it like a stone in your chest.

Because it wasn’t just about your professionalism — it questioned your worth.

Recognizing the Invisible Struggle

They See The Business, But They Don’t See You

They see the beauty. The “she’s doing amazing” Instagram feed.

But they don’t see you.

The woman behind the dream.

The chaos you hold.

The love you carry.

The ambition you refuse to shrink.

And honestly? That’s okay.

Because one day, your child will grow up and say:

“Mum built this.”

Not just a business — but a life she didn’t apologise for.

The Breakdown Moments No One Talks About

The breakdowns. Oh trust me, I’m not just in about my toddler 🫠

Not the dramatic kind — the quiet ones.

The ones where you cry in the bathroom while CBeebies plays in the next room.

The 2 a.m. sobs into your pillow, whispering, “What’s the fcking point?”*

The anger — not at your child — but at the unfairness of always being the one who bends.

You get sent home from nursery, again.

You cancel yet another client.

You watch money walk out the door because you chose to care for your child.

And you feel guilty for cancelling.

Guilty for caring.

Guilty for working.

Guilty for wanting more.

Guilty for resenting the guilt.

It’s a vicious cycle, and no one talks about it.

So here we are.

Talking about it.

The Purpose Behind the Hustle

What They Don’t Realise Is We’re Not Doing This For Fun

We’re not trying to “stay busy.”

We’re building something for our kids.

Trying to create a life where they don’t have to see their mum stressed, stretched, and never present.

We’re sacrificing now so they can have better later.

We’re dreaming, not just for ourselves, but through them.

Creating a version of motherhood where ambition isn’t punished and success isn’t traded for shame.

And yet, here we are — pulling guilt from every direction and still showing up.

The Brutal Truth of Motherhood and Ambition

So Here’s The Truth, In All Its Messy, Raw, Real Glory

We cancel clients and feel like frauds.

We reply to messages while wiping snotty noses.

We batch Reels while making fish fingers.

We feel behind. All. The. Time.

We wonder if we’re even good at any of this.

We feel broken — then rebuild ourselves the next morning like nothing happened.

We give our child everything.

We give our business everything.

We give ourselves… what’s left.

But still, we rise.

Because we’re mums with big flipping dreams.

Is it hard? Hell yes.

But let’s get real about it. 😃

You’re Not Alone — Even If It Feels Like It

If you’ve ever pretended everything’s fine while crying into a cold coffee — I see you.

If you’ve sent “I’m so sorry, I have to reschedule” while your toddler slept on you with a fever — I see you.

If you’ve juggled bookings, nappies, deadlines, and dreams while doubting it’s all working — I see you.

This is the part of business no one glamorises.

The motherhood that doesn’t make the captions.

The sacrifices that never trend.

But it matters.

And so do you.

Our Story — The Good, The Bad, And The Bloody Exhausting

This Is Our Story — The Good, The Bad, And The Bloody Exhausting

It’s time we stop pretending it’s anything else.

So let this be the post you send to your best mate when she feels like quitting.

The truth you needed when you felt alone in the guilt.

The moment you remember:

You are not failing.

You’re just doing something impossibly hard — with unbelievable heart.

💬 Tell me your “worst day” moment.

What was the time you nearly gave it all up?

What message still haunts you?

What’s the chaos you survived just to keep going?

Let’s put it all out there.

Stop sugarcoating.

Stop shaming.

Start supporting.

Because we’re not just business owners.

We’re not just mums.

We’re warriors.

And this messy middle?

It’s building something incredible. 😃!!!