To All the Working Mothers Who Are Wondering if They Are Doing Enough

You are doing enough, much, much more than enough. Much more than any generation of working mothers has done before. 

I see you. Carrying your little one with one arm while typing an email with the other. Joining that call, first thing after being up three times in the night. Feeling that tightness in your chest when childcare calls just before your important presentation or customer call

The fear is real, isn't it? I remember it so well. It didn't feel like fear exactly, it is more of a quiet, niggling perma-worry that while you're giving everything you have to home and at work it somehow still won't be enough for that promotion or that recognition you've worked so hard for. Maybe you still guess that your end of year review will disappoint, but what more can you do ?

I want you to know something: you're not alone in these feelings. Neither are you alone in that exhaustion that seems to seep into your bones. You are by no means the only one that has the mummy guilt that follows you from dropping your child off to the nursery, childminder or to your mum or mother in law. I cried sometimes as I drove off down the road knowing that at the end of the day I would be trying to race within the speed limit to not be late back for pick up. The constant mental calculations of time, energy, and attention are sooooo draining! You wonder if this meeting will end in time for you to make the pick up. If it won't you will have to explain why you have to leave, you hate it. You can almost feel their rolling eyes from here !

Your journey right now is incredibly difficult and you are doing brilliantly. There are days when simply showing up feels like climbing a mountain doesn't it. I know you work super hard to hide the Herculean effort behind your "I'm fine" smile in the morning team check-in. It is OK care share a little of your constant juggling and worry

They may not all see it, but I do. And what I see is bloody remarkable and seriously impressive

Your capacity for love, dedication, and perseverance isn't just admirable it's inspiring. Please know that. The lessons you're learning in this chapter of your life are forging in you a depth of character and leadership that cannot be taught at school. This is true experiential learning

When you feel overlooked or forgotten in conversations about advancement, remember that your path may look different, but it is no less valuable or worthy. The wisdom you're gaining through this challenging season will serve you for decades to come.

Be gentle with yourself on the hardest days, please. Celebrate the smallest victories, every single one. Find your people – those who truly understand this delicate balancing act and can honour and recognise both your tears and your triumphs. There will be lots of both.

Your worth isn't measured by continual, uninterrupted availability or how quickly you respond to emails after hours. It really isn't, this is not a measure of your value. It's in the beauty of who you are, a professional, a mother, a whole person navigating one of life's most challenging journeys with grace and determinati

on.

I believe in you, even on the days when it's hardest to believe in yourself.