Being a Mom is the Best Job in the World!
Let’s get one thing straight right out of the gate: stay-at-home moms and moms who work outside the home are both working moms.
For the sake of clarity in this article, when I say “working mom,” I’m referring to moms who work outside of the home and away from their own children during the day. Not because one is harder or better—but because the logistics, routines, and boundaries often look very different.
This conversation isn’t about comparison. It’s about understanding, validating, and maybe feeling a little less alone in whichever season you’re in.
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My Story
I went back to work after a 12-month maternity leave with my first child, and he got sick almost immediately. I spent my first two weeks back working from home—something my job allows—but daycare sickness is a whole new beast. Those first exposures hit hard, so be prepared: wash hands, wash your toddler, and change clothes as soon as you get home. We did a 7:45 a.m. drop-off and 4:00 p.m. pickup, which worked well with my 8–4 job, and his daycare being within a 5 km radius of my workplace made logistics much easier. Our weekends were filled with swimming lessons, playdates, and chores. I love the idea that one day is for the kids and one day is for real life—kids can learn to be bored and help with grocery shopping, laundry, and housework. Weeknight evenings felt short, with bedtime starting around 6:30–7:00 p.m. early on. Now that he’s almost three, bedtime starts closer to 8:00 p.m. with baths every other night. With twin newborns, I’ve gone back to an earlier bedtime routine so we can have some one-on-one time after they’re asleep. Daycare being closed on the same days I have time off has been a huge bonus, and I love receiving daily updates through the app—meals, naps, activities, and bathroom visits. My 3 year old is now potty trained and goes in underwear (with backup clothes for accident days), loves the social side of daycare, and has learned so much in ways I couldn’t replicate at home. I’m not naturally an “outside” person, but daycare ensures he gets fresh air daily. I’m incredibly grateful for the ability to return to work while knowing my child is happy, thriving, and cared for—and I’m already on the waitlist for the twins when I return to work again next year.
Since I am currently on a 12 month maternity leave, my husband takes my toddler to daycare every day – the benefits of it being beside our work! I spend my days with the twins, since they are 4 months old now, we are starting to establish wake windows and routine. I typically try to go to pilates every morning – usually during their first or second nap, but one usually wakes up while I am working out – love that my studio has someone dedicated to watching our babies so we can focus on our physical fitness – super important and for me a way to help with me mental health and getting out of the house. Read more about how I am managing that in my Postpartum Body Blog. I am coaching volleyball twice a week, so that also gives me an opportunity to get out of the house and not surrounded by babies – don’t get me wrong, I adore my babies, but some time to myself is important too! Knowing that we are moving in the next few months, my evenings have been filled with looking for daycares in our new location – my biggest stressor since we are moving to a place that has 2-3 year waitlists and we just found out we were moving a couple months ago. I don’t get much sleep at night, an hour here and there, since the twins aren’t on the same wake schedule at night, I don’t necessarily mind as then I can have 1 on 1 time with them for feeds, but if they are up multiple times, it makes for a rough night and I usually nap with them during the day. Brought in my Kindle and Kindle stand to distract myself from falling asleep – though it doesn’t always work. If I was to go back in time, I would have bought an extremely comfortable nursery chair – as I spend more time in it than my bed, but I am waiting on that until we move.
Overall, my days are filled with so much joy and happiness, watching my babies grow has been such a fantastic experience, and I will miss spending my days with them when I go back to work at the end of the year – but those bills gotta be paid, and I like my Starbucks! Below are some typical days for some of the Mom Village.
What a “Typical Day” Really Looks Like
Spoiler: there is no such thing as typical. But here’s a glimpse into a few very real days, shared by real moms.
Katie: SAHM with a Toddler + Baby
Morning:
Coffee (non-negotiable Nespresso Machine), feed the baby, make breakfast for my toddler and myself, tidy the house, then outside time—usually a walk with the dog. If we’re not heading out, we’ll do inside play or run errands.
Once the baby goes down for their first nap, I get intentional one-on-one time with my toddler. Then lunch, toddler nap, and one-on-one time with the baby.
Afternoon:
Some days we get out of the house again, and sometimes the baby’s second nap happens on the go.
Evening:
Dinner prep and cooking, eating as a family, bath time, bedtime routine—and finally, one-on-one time with my partner.
Survival tip: Get out of the house. Even if it’s just groceries or checking the mail. A change of environment can reset everyone’s mood. Packing up kids—especially multiples—feels overwhelming at first, but it truly gets easier with practice and routine.
Kelly: SAHM with One Toddler
We keep things pretty casual. If I need to do something specific—like groceries or the pharmacy—I put it in my calendar so it actually gets done. Structured activities like gymnastics, swimming, or skating also go in the calendar.
Otherwise, every day looks different and we roll with it.
Sunday is my one fully structured day: meal prepping, washing all the linens, deep cleaning, and setting us up for the week ahead.
Daily goals instead of a strict schedule:
- 20–30 minutes of learning
- 3+ hours outside
It’s definitely not ideal if you thrive on structure—but it keeps life interesting for both me and my toddler.
Ali: SAHM with School-Aged Kids + Preschooler
Our routine is simple but intentional.
I wake up about 30 minutes before the kids to get myself ready—this was a deliberate choice for my mental health. Once they’re up, I make lunches while they eat breakfast, then we head out the door for school drop-offs.
While my youngest is at preschool, I run errands, tackle housework, or do whatever else needs to be done. After pickup, we have lunch, then nap time—which gives me another window to reset or be productive.
After school: playtime, homework, supper, bath, a bit of TV, then bed.
Biggest takeaway: being intentional. Without external motivators, I have to time-block both things I have to do and things I want to do—especially managing ADHD. Sports season is coming, which means busier evenings and an even greater need to protect small moments of rest so I don’t burn out.
Serinna: SAHM with Two Very Different Kids
I have two polar opposite kids 😅 and routine is essential—especially for my oldest.
Every day starts at 6:30 a.m. He plays while I change diapers and make coffee (this part cannot be skipped). Then breakfast, lunches, getting dressed, and daycare drop-off.
Two days a week I’m child-free, which is when I do all errands and chores—so Saturdays can be true family days with swim lessons and an afternoon activity.
Sundays are go-with-the-flow, but always include a morning walk if the weather allows.
Lindsay: Working Mom with a Toddler + Baby
I just went back to work, and honestly—chaos is the word.
I wake up before the kids, get myself ready, pack my lunch, pop frozen waffles in the toaster for the kids, and prep bottles for daycare. I get the toddler dressed first, convince her to play while I get the baby ready, then load everyone into the car.
Pickup after daycare looks like low-stim TV while I cook dinner. By the time we eat, it’s basically bath and bedtime. We’ve started using HelloFresh again to make weeknights more manageable.
Weekends are a free‑for‑all, but we try to get out to the library, a play event, or a playdate to burn off toddler energy.
Alanna: SAHM with a Toddler + Baby
My mornings usually involve trying to sneak in a shower without waking my co‑sleeping baby. Then breakfast for everyone.
I like to prep a little activity for my toddler the night before—tea parties, dolls, or setups—so I can drink my coffee in peace.
I teach Pilates once a week and attend classes often, which usually takes over our mornings. We aim for one playdate a week and try (emphasis on try) to get both kids down for an afternoon nap.
Evenings are bath, supper prep, and waiting impatiently for bedtime once my husband gets home.
Boundary Setting
Boundaries often get blurrier when you’re home all day—especially with family who assume availability equals access.
Some common boundaries moms shared:
- No kissing newborns, especially during RSV/flu season
- Washing hands before holding the baby
- No visits while sick
- Waiting until after vaccines for increased exposure
- No visits during the first 6 weeks postpartum
- No other children touching baby’s hands or face
One mom shared how helpful it was to communicate boundaries ahead of time—often through family group chats—and to make sure her partner was aligned so she wasn’t carrying the emotional load alone.
Another hard boundary: discipline. Grandparents were not allowed to discipline without discussing it first, except in safety situations. When a line was crossed, it was addressed clearly and directly.
Not everyone responded well. There were comments, attitudes, and eye‑rolls—but the sentiment was unanimous:
It’s our job to keep our babies safe.
And that job doesn’t require permission.
Instead of asking: “Which is better?” Maybe we ask: “What works best for our family right now?” Because motherhood is not one-size-fits-all. It evolves. And whether you are packing lunches after a board meeting or wiping peanut butter off the couch for the third time today—you are doing meaningful work. At the end of the day, both paths are built on the same foundation: Love. Sacrifice. Commitment. Showing up. And that’s what truly defines a good mom.
Further Story from one of the Mommas
From one of the Mom Village – Being a stay-at-home mom to an autistic child can feel like holding multiple roles at once:
Mom
Therapist
Advocate
Scheduler
Researcher
Emotional regulator
Crisis manager
Cheerleader
One of the hardest parts isn’t what people see—it’s what they don’t. It’s constantly scanning environments for triggers. It’s planning exits before you even enter a room. It’s explaining behaviours to strangers who stare. It’s advocating in schools and medical settings. It’s researching late at night because you want to understand your child better. The mental load never truly turns off.Even during quiet moments, your brain is problem-solving. Going back to work after being home with your child is emotional for any parent. Going back to work when your child is autistic? It’s layered. It’s complicated. It can feel heartbreaking and empowering at the same time. This isn’t just about clocking in again. It’s about trust, control, guilt, identity, and fear—all wrapped into one decision. Choosing going back to work was for me, for my mental health. Somethings I was missing in my day to day as a stay at home mom was:
Professional ambition
Intellectual stimulation
Adult conversation
Financial contribution
You are allowed to be a committed mother and a fulfilled professional.
Daily struggles are getting everybody out the door on time. Who is making supper tonight ? What is for supper… Finding the right time for laundry and grocery shopping. If one of the kids are sick who is taking the time off work for that or appointments. Planning around day care schedules for vacations. Making the right decision for daycare for your needs.
We all have our own battles, but that is why we share our stories, so we feel a little less alone and all the more supported by our Mom Village.
Pros & Cons: SAHM vs Working Mom Life
Stay-at-Home Mom (SAHM)
Pros
- More time with your children during their early years
- Flexible daily schedule
- Ability to build routines that work for your family
- Less daycare logistics and illness exposure
- More opportunities for spontaneous moments and bonding
Cons
- Can feel isolating without adult interaction
- Less personal time and harder to “clock out”
- Financial dependence or reduced household income
- Career pause or slower professional progression
- Household responsibilities can feel never-ending
Working Mom (Outside the Home)
Pros
- Financial contribution and stability for the household
- Continued career growth and professional fulfillment
- Daily adult interaction and mental stimulation
- Children gain social development and learning opportunities in childcare
- Clearer separation between work and home responsibilities
Cons
- Less time with children during weekdays
- Busy mornings and evenings managing schedules
- Daycare costs can be significant
- Emotional guilt around balancing work and family
- Managing sick days, school closures, and childcare logistics
The Truth
Both paths come with rewards and challenges.
Both require sacrifice.
Both are filled with love.
And most moms will move between these seasons at different points in their lives.
Final Thoughts
Whether you stay home, work outside the home, or move between both—you are working.
Your days may look different. Your stressors may hit at different times. Your boundaries may need to be firmer or more flexible depending on your situation.
But none of that makes your role smaller—or bigger—than anyone else’s.
If there’s one takeaway from all these stories, it’s this:
There’s no single right way to mother. Only the way that works for your family, in this season.
And that’s more than enough.
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