Here’s the deal: I’m a working mom, and I miss a significant amount of time with my children throughout the day. I wake up at dawn to get to the office early, hoping to leave at a reasonable hour to savor the precious moments with them. Every single minute—from when I hop into my car to the time I dash out of the office—needs to be utilized efficiently.
When you casually stroll into my workspace to chat because you’re bored, I feel the tension rise as each second slips away from my kids. I can’t help but feel my focus waver as you linger, eager to engage in small talk. If there were an automated script for this, it would go something like: “Yes, my kids are doing great. Time flies, doesn’t it? Those terrible twos are something else! I can only imagine how the challenges evolve as they grow older…” Meanwhile, I’m silently counting down the minutes, wishing I could skip ahead to the time when I’m back with them.
I genuinely care about your life and your children, and I appreciate that you want to share your experiences. I just wish we could spend less time discussing it and more time actually being with our families. I understand your life is meaningful, but right now, I need to prioritize my time.
And don’t even get me started on meetings. Am I right, fellow moms? Those endless gatherings where the same points are reiterated over and over, just so everyone can leave their mark on the conversation. It’s frustrating when we spend precious minutes on introductions and discussions that could have been wrapped up in an email. Those lost moments add up; every minute counts when I’m trying to get home to my kids.
Being a manager is tough. I want to support my team while also being the best mom I can be. I don’t have the bandwidth to organize team lunches or navigate personal dramas. Sometimes I feel like I’m supposed to be the team cheerleader instead of just your boss. I hope you can forgive me for not being the “team mom” you might expect.
Ultimately, I work to show my daughters that their mom is capable of providing for our family, just like their incredible dad does. We want them to have options in life and to see that they can pursue whatever they desire. Plus, the cost of living in New Jersey is no joke, so I have to make things work.
More than anything, I hope my girls feel the immense love I have for them, even as I miss out on moments during the day. I cherish the time we do have together, and I want to maximize it. So, let’s skip the small talk and get back to what really matters.