Coffee, Calendars, and Chaos: Inside the Life of an Overachieving Working Mom
Coffee, Calendars, and Chaos: Inside the Life of an Overachieving Working Mom
Being a working mom means wearing every hat, sometimes all before 8 a.m. You’re managing deadlines, school schedules, dinner plans, and the mental checklist that never ends. For me, that checklist got even longer when I left the corporate world to start my own communications agency. I traded structure for flexibility, and a whole new kind of chaos. But it was life-changing. Now my days are a mix of client calls, college visits, and making time for my marriage somewhere in between.
The phrase “work-life balance” sounds nice, but most days, it feels more like “work-life juggling.” What is balance… I am not sure I have found it yet, but I am much closer to it than before. Before we dive into what that really looks like, let’s start with a quick look at the numbers.
Married Working Moms by the Numbers
About 70% of moms with kids under 18 work outside the home. Among married moms, it’s about two-thirds, a big jump from the 1970s. Today’s households often rely on two incomes, and women are carrying a considerable share of that weight, financially and emotionally. All while striving to be the same mom that we grew up knowing in our own homes, and admiring on American sitcoms. But life is not always a sitcom.
How COVID-19 Changed the Game
Just before COVID, I took the leap and started Jamison Communications. I wasn’t sure where things would take me, but I knew one thing for certain: I was getting my life back. After years of working 60+ hour weeks for someone else, I needed this change for myself and for my family.
COVID turned everything upside down: schools closed, jobs paused, and millions of moms had to choose between work and caregiving. But it also changed how we think about work. Remote jobs and flexible schedules proved what moms already knew: productivity doesn’t require an office, just opportunity. Now, flexibility isn’t a perk; it’s crucial.
A Snapshot of a Day in My Life
My day usually starts at 6:30 a.m. with coffee and a quick catch-up with my husband. It is my favorite part of the day. I’m on my laptop by 7. I begin by checking client e-commerce analytics and reviewing emails that came in after I powered down the night before. Once my family heads out, I get ready for the day. Though many mornings, my laptop is propped up on my vanity, and I’m on my first client or team call while still in my robe (camera off, of course!). Annoying? No. Invigorating.
Before heading to my office or remote workspace, I tidy up and prep things for when we all return home. From there, it’s usually a packed day. Client calls, travel for meetings or commercial shoots, managing marketing calendars and budgets for national brands, and putting out at least half a dozen fires along the way. I love every minute.
Mom Guilt and Career Pride
To be truly transparent, this is a tricky and emotional balance, and one that I’ve struggled with for almost 18 years. The tears I shed after drop-offs, missing a school function due to travel, or feeling like I wasn’t doing enough were painful and overwhelming at times.
I want to say that everything I did was for my family, but the truth is, I didn’t need to work; I wanted to work. I had the power to stop the tears and all of the guilt. But my career was more than just important to me; it’s a part of who I am.
I worked three jobs to pay for college, worked my ass off to earn straight A’s, and fought for every internship I could get. I wasn’t walking away. So, I had to figure it out.
As my daughter heads off to college next year, I know I’ve found that healthy balance. I’ll never forget my days as a room mom, serving on the school planning committee, or the joy in my clients’ voices when we discovered that our marketing strategies helped exceed sales goals. I am thankful, and at the same time, I think, Wow, we made it!
The Myth of Having It “All”
What does “having it all” even mean? I have often struggled with that question. Will I have it all if I build a career and business, or will I have it all if I stay home and focus on my family? Honestly, I still do not know what “it all” truly is.
If I had to sum it up for myself (just myself), it means having the best of both worlds. I genuinely love what I do professionally, and I’m proud of my accomplishments (sometimes, I think, pinch me!), but not more grateful than I am for being married to the love of my life for 20 years, having a great relationship, and raising a beautiful daughter who is often described as kind, smart, hardworking, and an absolute gem.
My career has helped shape who I am and who I strive to be. I travel the world and am challenged professionally, which keeps me from being bored. Each day, I have the flexibility I need for a balanced and happy life. By staying true to myself and my dreams, I’ve been able to show up as the best version of myself for my family. To me, that’s what it truly means to have it all.
Tips + Hacks for Mom Mode vs. Work Mode
My number one tip for staying healthy and sane is self-care. I’m deeply committed to a routine that supports both my mental and physical well-being. From walking every day for fresh air, to regular spa visits, working with a professional mentor, and maintaining a nighttime routine that could rival a beauty expert’s, I take it seriously and try not to skip it. This time for myself allows me to unwind, reset, and prioritize my health.
Perfection
This is unattainable and not real life. No one expects this from you, and if you’re absorbing all the social media ”perfection” in your feed, remember, nothing is perfect. Many nights I put my phone on Do Not Disturb, and on some weekends, I power it down. It is amazing.
Be Present
Being present isn’t about adding more to your plate; it’s about shifting your focus and reclaiming small moments of awareness. Taking a deep breath and just being present makes all the difference to those in your life.
Say No
I know, you hear this everywhere. I always say, “I want to be invited, but I may not come.” Being a no-show is never personal. Most of the time, I’m spending that time with my family or curled up with a good book. What this means is that the next time you see me, I’ll be fresh as a daisy and fully present in whatever we’re doing. I am just taking a mental health break, and making sure I don’t get rundown.
Quality over Quantity
Over the past two years, I have gone through a big transition that taught me to value quality over quantity. I used to measure success by how much I was doing and how available I was, but I have learned to choose quality moments instead. I no longer want to do all the things, have all the clients, or be involved in everything. What matters most now is quality time, meaningful conversations, and genuine relationships, because those are irreplaceable.
Get Help
My team consists of a marketing coordinator, a video editor, three graphic designers, a digital marketing team, a web developer, and a production assistant. My team helps me, and Jamison Communications, perform at our best.
Finding your balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about strategy, support, knowing when to ask for help, or say no, and, honestly, a little humility. If you’re a working mom trying to juggle career, family, and everything in between, give yourself a little grace and enjoy the ride.
I Owe It All To You
My success would not be possible without my husband (Saint Andy, ha ha), my biggest cheerleader, and my daughter, Morgan, who has always seemed to admire what I do and be proud of me. Nothing means more to me than that.
There are countless women in my life who inspire me daily, too many to name. I am so thankful for a tribe that has stood by me, accepted that I am a no-show and an Irish goodbyer, and always been there as a shoulder to cry on when I felt like I might combust.
Cheers to all the moms out there. May we celebrate our wins, cut ourselves some slack, and always be there to support one another. There is no better feeling than being supported, and also showing our young daughters how women supporting women truly makes an impact.