Balancing Motherhood Outfit Details:
Jumpsuit: Adelyn Rae ‘Iris’ Jumpsuit (XS / runs small) – 40% off! (similar)
worn w/ Thirdlove Strapless Bra
Shoes: Steve Madden ‘Carrson’ in white (5.5 / TTS)
Earrings: Sugarfix for Baublebar Multi Tassel Earrings
Bag: Amazon Rattan Woven Round Bag (also love this one)
Watch: Fitbit ‘Versa’ with metal strap
Mei:
Romper: Carters (old, super similar)
Necklace: Initial Necklace w/ 14″ chain
Sandals: Stride Rite ‘Millie’
Today’s post is a bit different than my norm and I’m getting raw and real with you guys. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that I’m single parenting this week as Adrian starts up a busy season of traveling for work, and let me just say, the struggle is real. Summer break is upon us and I woke up at 5:30 am yesterday so I could run a load of laundry, get the trash taken out, pack lunches, and prepare breakfast for Dylan and Mei before I shuttled them off to the first day of their summer camp. Another 8 hours at the office later and I was fighting through rush-hour traffic to make sure I picked up the kids before the school closed down at 6pm. Every day I feel a sense of guilt as I’m one of the last ones to pick up my kids and wish that I somehow had more time to spend with them. Most days I’m lucky if I get maybe 3 hours together with the kids, but as you can imagine, that time is also filled with preparing dinner, cleaning the kitchen, getting the kids bathed and in pajamas, as well as picking up around the house. Some days, despite my best efforts, balancing motherhood can just be so tiring.
Funny enough, I’ve also had it the other way around. I left my previous corporate hedge fund job and was a stay-at-home mom for almost 2 years. Pregnant with Mei for the first 9 months, I then spent the next year after Mei was born at home with her as well. I’m so eternally grateful to have had the option to stay at home, but for me, it was equally difficult in a different way. Being a stay-at-home mom can be isolating at times and I learned that I was someone who needed feedback as well as mental stimulation from solving challenging technical problems. Similarly, while I loved the constant time with my little ones, I couldn’t help but also have guilt over other things like treating myself to clothes, a new handbag, or even a mani / pedi as I wasn’t pulling in nearly the same income as I was before.
I chose to return to a corporate job around Mei’s first birthday as part of me just wasn’t fulfilled being just a stay-at-home mom. I still remember the insecurity and fear I had during that time when it came to finding a job, but I’ll save that for a whole other blog post! I was lucky to find the job that I did, and while I whole-heartedly love my current role and the ways it’s helped me grow / stretch as a person, it also hasn’t been easy. Every day, I’m figuring out how to be more efficient with my responsibilities and excel in my role without again making sacrifices in the time I have with my family. Not to mention, there’s always that mom guilt of leaving my kids in someone else’s care for so many hours out of the day.
Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m in the middle of a delicate dance, trying to find the balance between my work career and my mom life. Every time I give one more attention, I feel like I’m failing at my other role. Days when I’ve had to stay home because my kids get sick, I feel like I let my team down. In the same way, days when I stay late to catch up on work and am not able to sit down to dinner together, I feel like I let my family down. I’ve always been one to give all of myself whenever it comes to a task at hand which has always resulted in success, but now, there are many days (or weeks) where I feel like I’ve had to give things a half effort simply because there’s just not enough of me to go around. It’s a mix of exhaustion, defeatism, and honestly, feeling like I’m never enough.
What I’ve realized through all of this is that it’s not easy and there may not be a perfect solution to balancing motherhood. As I’ve struggled to find that perfect balance of work and family life, I’ve realized that there really isn’t one. There is always a juggling act of responsibilities and hoping that something important doesn’t fall through the cracks. I’ve had to silence the voices of self-doubt and second guessing that’s constantly happening inside my head, learning to accept that this is a season of my life and that the goal isn’t perfection.
If you ever have any of these struggles with balancing motherhood, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Shelbee on the Edge says
Kileen, the struggle is definitely real and it is a balance that we all struggle to find. I have been a stay at home mom for 7 years now and the isolation can be so lonely. Then I started blogging and often I feel like I push my mom duties aside too much in the name of my work. It is a vicious cycle. But you know what? In the end, our kids will be wonderful human beings because we are teaching them hard work, dedication, productivity, work ethic, love, and kindness through the examples we set. So while the struggle is really quite real, we and our children will be just fine in the end! Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Maureen says
I honestly feel like there isn’t a balance and you just have to do what feels right. I went back to work after my maternity leave and worked for 8 months before calling it quits. I have been a SAHM since. Both sides have different priorities and no matter how much I try for balance, something had to give – whether it’s work emails, making dinner or time baby or for yourself. I think that’s why time is invaluable. We can’t buy it or trade it for more. We had to decide right here right now how to spend it.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies says
I think that delicate dance continues. at least it has for me. My children are now getting married and talking about having children but I still find I’m balancing career and family – but that means I’m super lucky they still want to pop in all the time! From the look on your adorable daughter’s face you are doing just fine Kileen! xx
Erica Valentin says
Loving this jumpsuit on you and those earrings! Yes it totally is a struggle. Sometimes i do a million things and at the end of the day my house is still a mess and I still feel like i got nothing done!
McKenna BASS TRAHAN says
I totally hear about staying at home is difficult. This is my first year really being at home full time and wow, it’s not for the faint of heart! Thanks for your transparency!
Sarah says
I feel like I’ve taken a similar path to you: I decided not to go back to teaching full time after my maternity leave ended, and have been a stay at home mom since, but at a year I made the decision that I wanted to go back! So now my son is 16 months old and I have a job for next school year as a full-time teacher! I’m excited but also really nervous because I know it’s going to be so hard.
Mollie says
I loved reading this post, thank you for being so open! I am not a mom yet, but I can’t imagine how difficult it can be to juggle all the daily to-dos. You are killing it though!!
xx Mollie
Belle says
It really is tough to find a balance between being a mom and your career. But you’re doing amazing! And you look fab!
Cathy says
It’s hard to find balance, but everything always works out in the end. Love your jumpsuit and how you styled it!
XOXO
Cathy
Simplement Lui says
It’s very difficult to reach the right balance as it’s continuously evolving and changing … we all need to adapt and it’s not easy but worth it 😉
Your embroidered jumpsuit is absolutely amazing!
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/05/31/organic-food/
Annette Dattilo says
Great post. I have often felt that the balancing act in life is one of the most challenging things in life. As a people pleaser and always striving 100% in everything I do it really can be tough. The good news is I think balance is a challenge for most so we are definitely not alone. All we can do is set our priorities straight, do our very best each day, and pick right back up the next day. 🙂
Morgan says
I have no idea how single parents do it!! It really does take a village to raise a child .. but remember, while he’s gone this week YOU GOT THIS!!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
Sara says
I’m not a mother yet but I admire all of my mommy friends who are rock stars and seem to balance it all without ever batting an eye! I’ve got lots of role models and women to look to when we become parents!
Laura || Walking in Memphis in High Heels says
This is truly a great post, especially as a working mother. The balance is extremely hard to find and obtain! The guilt can really set in as well as become overwhelming.
Steph says
Absolutely love this jumpsuit on you!
Candace says
The lack of time I have now is definitely why I wouldn’t even think of having kids at this point in my life. You are definitely a trooper for having kids, working full time and blogging full time; I can’t even imagine! Hopefully you find a better balance soon!
Helen says
The jumpsuits looks cute on you! I also love your post and I understand your post. I can really relate to this.
Kenzi || Life of a Sister says
I love this jumpsuit, the color and stripes are really cute! The floral print is a great pop of color too! Balancing motherhood and life is always a struggle. This is a really great post and perfect reminder for all the moms.
Stephanie says
Story my life girl. Story of my life. I have those earrings too. Need them in black!
megan says
I am riding the struggle bus too! I cant even remember when it started but my husband has basically been working before my kids get up and after they go to bed since they have been born…. I have 2 kids under 3. I hired a nanny to help me get a break but the last two weeks she has been on vaca and I am on edge from the struggle I am seriously about to blow… anyways. I love your jumpsuit and your babe is adorable!! I love following along with you!
xoxo
Deborah says
I hesitate to throw my two cents in here because I’m not a mother and I know how often women get judged for either being a working mom or a SAHM (you can’t win) so another armchair “expert” adding her opinion may make some people (understandably) weary. I will say that I really loved this more open post and it’s nice reading more about real struggles you deal with. Being a mother can’t always be easy and I think mothers are superheroes!
Laura Leigh says
Your jumpsuit is fabulous and on my goodness your little one looks so cute in your jumper. I love it!!!
xo Laura Leigh
http://www.louellareese.com
Anna English says
This is such a cute jumpsuit. I love the fun mix of florals and stripes!
Azanique says
What a sweet post! I’m not a mom but I couldn’t imagine try to balance everything but you do it so beautifully! 🙂
-xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
adriana says
I can only imagine how difficult it can be! You’re a rockstar mama! 🙂 Love your jumpsuit!
Tonya Tardiff says
I love this post! Your advice is spot on and the pics are adorable!
Emily says
Thanks for your honesty- I’m not a mother but I’m sure it’s a struggle. At least ya look cute while doing it!
Nicole says
I can totally relate to this post, since I have four kids and work four days a week as well. It’s a constant struggle trying to keep them happy and then also keep myself happy and my husband. Thanks for sharing!
Julia Comil says
Thanks for sharing this is so good to see your point of view. I love this jumpsuit
Greta says
You sound like an amazing mama who is doing the best she can. Hang in there mama! I don’t know how you do it all!
Taylor Mobley says
OMG this jumpsuit is so gorgeous.
Kimmie says
Although you are super busy you are doing such a great job!! xo
maggie says
I don’t know how you ladies balance work and home life– I give you all of the credit and respect for making it happen! Can’t be easy!
Amanda says
I’m not a mom (yet) but I can bet it’s not very easy. Loving how cute you look here— and your coordinating mini is just too adorable!
Jasmine Vargas says
Being a mom is hard especially juggling a full-time job. But we got this!
P.s. cute jumpsuit.
Laura says
Single parenting is no joke, even if just for a short while, while your spouse is not available to help. You’ve got this!!
xo, Laura
Jessica says
It’s never easy being a mom, and as a mom of two, I can truly appreciate what my mother has done for me and our family. And yes, there is no perfect answer. You’ll be juggling a lot of things and embrace that as a part of life now. The more you realize this, the less pressure you put on yourself. Anyway, that jumpsuit looks so fab on you! Love the floral details, and such a sweet and cool color too.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
theeyetraveler says
Girl, don’t be so hard on yourself. It seems to me you are clear on what makes you happy and have a balance between these two. The best you can do is enjoy every moment. Your daughter will be watching and learning from you that mom has her own life to live which is great.
Jenn Hanft says
Aww this jumper is absolutely adorable and your little one is super cute too! I could only imagine how hard it is to be a mom. Kudos to you and thank you for sharing 🙂
With love, Jenn
httsp://jubilantdose.com
Kristin Leahy says
I adore your jumpsuit! That floral print is the cutest for summer!
Gloria says
Wow! That’s a fabulous look for women who want to keep things unique and very special! Like the way you team this striped floral print jumpsuit with a rounded shoulder bag and white heeled sandals. The red drop earrings are the best!
kisses,
Gloria
https://styledebates.com/
Kristina says
I’m sure it can be hard to balance both but I’m with you- I don’t have kids yet but think being a SAHM wouldn’t be enough mental stimulation for me , but it’s definitly hard work too! Don’t feel guilty- you are just doing the best you can do!!
sharon wu says
you and your little one are so cute babe! love your outfit. great photos too!
Denise Kokinis says
I am so so so in love with this fabulous jumpsuit! I love the subtle striped detailing on it and that floral detailing is so gorgeous and perfect! You are seriously just the cutest!
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
Angelle says
This post is so real and true!!! I am still trying to balance it all. Give yourself some grace because you are doing so much ultimately for the family. I’ve learned to invest one on one time with each child outside of the house and chores, and I discovered their love language. It has worked wonders in our family. You got this. They appreciate all of your sacrifices!
xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Lauryn Hock says
I don’t know how you do it all! Being a mom is such hard work, let alone a working momma!
Whitney says
girl I feel you! Balance is always hard no matter what you are juggling! But I LOVE this jumpsuit on you! so cute!