Balancing Work and Parenthood

Last night this little peanut snuck down the stairs after he was supposed to be sleeping.

He peeked his head around the staircase and said, ‘mama, when are you going to bed?’

I told him after the news but he didn’t seen satisfied with that answer.

‘I never see you anymore because of your dumb job. You are always working lately. I miss you.’

And with that he was down the stairs and in my arms asking to sleep in my bed.

It’s bizarre lately. I am with my babies every single day, nearly 24 hours a day. Something I never imagined would happen. But I’m also working. Thankfully the teaching is done but in-home therapy is still happening. Every day is loud and busy. Almost like a never-ending day of summer camp.

Since covid, there seems to be no division of time. I’m always working and always mothering.

There is no one or the other. No punching out at the end of the day and putting on our parenting hats. It all runs together. In a way it feels like I’m failing at all.

I’m taking calls with a baby crawling on my desk and zooming with Sawyer knocking on my door begging for another snack. Jamie and I are having wordless fights with our eyes about whose time is more valuable at that moment.

I let him sleep with me last night. We chatted for 20 minutes about dinosaurs and how he wants a king size bed too. I couldn’t believe how grown up he sounded.

And I didn’t balance. I didn’t juggle. We just snuggled. The two of us. One day he will understand.

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.