Every day at the office, I find myself glancing enviously at that one colleague who always looks polished. You know the type: impeccably dressed, hair perfectly styled, and never one to embrace “casual Friday.” Meanwhile, I’m fighting the urge to let every day be casual (and let’s be real, sometimes I do). It’s tempting to think, “She must not have kids,” but I know better—she has children, just like I do.
I keep telling myself that the moment I can get ready without my kids yelling for me, crying, or crawling all over me, is the day I’ll resemble that colleague—or at least stop looking like I just rolled out of bed. Until that glorious day arrives, I, along with other working moms blessed with early risers, face these very real struggles:
- Breakfast Dilemmas
You’d think that being jolted awake by kids at 5 a.m. would leave plenty of time for a wholesome breakfast. But since they’ll eat at daycare anyway, do they really need two breakfasts? Instead, I trade cooking time for crackers, nutrition bars, or even the occasional treat—anything to snag a moment of peace to style my hair. Who needs a proper breakfast when chocolate is on the table? - Hair Management
That “perfect” look I dream of? It often translates to a messy bun—two out of three days. It’s stylish, right? And who cares if it’s a bit oily? Thank goodness for dry shampoo! On the rare occasion I actually style my hair, the inevitable question arises, “Did you get a haircut?” Nope, just a rare shower! - Personal Hygiene
Speaking of showers, the mere thought of taking one is daunting. Should I wake up at 4:45 a.m. or skip it and rely on dry shampoo? And showering with the kids? That’s a whole new level of chaos. They fight over water while asking awkward questions. So, bun day three it is, with a generous amount of deodorant. - Caffeine Cravings
For coffee enthusiasts, caffeine is a blissful necessity. But with early risers, I often find myself racing to finish a cup before it spills all over my clothes. And let’s not forget the dreaded coffee breath that follows! I certainly don’t want to be “that” coworker. But hey, mints can only do so much when you’re up before dawn. - Screen Time Monitoring
By 7 a.m., my kids have often maxed out their screen time. If they’re glued to the TV or iPad, I can sneak in a few extra minutes of rest—if I can keep my snoring down! “Watch this, Mom!” my daughter demands, poking me awake. Am I frying their brains? I hope not. - Casual Friday Reality
My favorite day of the week! It’s the one day I can relax my wardrobe and fit in with the office crowd. But let’s be honest, casual happens at least three (okay, four) times a week for me. Jeans? Check. Comfy hoodie? Check. Bun day three? Definitely a check. Someday, my kids will sleep in, and I’ll finally dress like a professional. - Resorting to Bribery
I’d do just about anything for a few more minutes of shut-eye. I’d offer them toys, treats, or even fun outings if they could just sleep in. I try to make it sound like a reward, but deep down, I know it’s just desperate bribery. - The Struggle to Get Out of Bed
Honestly, getting out of bed can be the toughest battle of all. If I could just muster the energy to rise, I might actually make breakfast, shower, and look professional. But the denial that my kids will wake up early keeps me in bed longer than I should be. - Living in Denial
The biggest challenge? Denial. People without early risers often suggest going to bed earlier—trust me, I’ve thought about it. But when your personal space is invaded before sunrise, a mom needs some alone time. Thus begins the cycle of late nights and early wake-ups.
To all the working moms out there dealing with early morning chaos—stay strong! It’s a unique journey we’re on, and we’re all in this together.
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Summary: Working moms with early risers face unique challenges, from breakfast dilemmas and personal grooming to screen time management and the struggle to get out of bed. These daily battles often lead to creative solutions like bribery and a casual wardrobe. However, it’s all part of the shared experience of motherhood.