### A Typical Day as a Working Parent

#### The Morning Crunch

Just this morning, on what was meant to be my day off from my bustling café, I received an unexpected message from a team member. “Hi, we are having grinder problems.” Standing in my kitchen, I realized the reality of my situation—my 5-year-old was still in his pajamas, my 7-year-old had just settled down for breakfast, and my husband had dashed off to his morning gym class.

In the swirl of morning chaos, I knew I had to act fast. After troubleshooting from afar, I determined it was essential for me to go into the café and see if I could sort out the grinding issue. Our shop’s doors were just a minute away from opening, and I brimmed with anxiety knowing there would already be eager customers waiting for their caffeine fix.

I hastily threw some shoes on my still-pajama-clad preschooler while multi-tasking to order my 8-year-old’s lunch via a school app. Before long, we found ourselves on the road, navigating our breakfast from Tupperware containers as we sped toward the café.

### Juggling Responsibilities During a Busy Morning

As patiently as young children can muster, my kids waited while I rushed to fix the grinder and adjust the coffee machine settings. To ease my mum-guilt, I rewarded them with a couple of hot chocolates on the way out. The regular customers, overhearing my parenting voice as I chastised my little ones for running around the shop, attempted to stifle their giggles, much to my embarrassment.

By some small miracle, not only did the coffee begin to flow again, but I also managed to get both kids off to daycare and school on time. It made me ponder: is this what people mean when they reference work/life balance?

### The Pendulum of Work and Home Life

For me, as a working parent, achieving a harmonious balance feels more like a pendulum that swings dramatically between work and family responsibilities. On any given day, I find myself excelling as a mother while faltering as a business owner, and on other days, the reverse is true.

Recently, we faced a challenging few weeks of understaffing due to holidays and illness. I found myself at the café almost continuously for three grueling weeks. I would leave the house before my children woke, with the first glimpse of them happening during school pick-up. I was utterly drained, displaying impatience with little to no quality time left in my evenings, often finding comfort only in an early bedtime.

### Challenges Are Part of the Journey

However, I recognize that such tumultuous times are not the norm. We just have to soldier through, knowing that there will soon be lazy Sundays filled with breakfast hustle and the daily ritual of searching for stray school socks. On days when everything seems to align, I find solace in the thought that my children are gaining valuable insights by witnessing their mother navigate the trials of running a business—getting up before dawn, acquiring new skills, and sharing stories during our family dinners.

Reflecting on my own upbringing, I realize the lessons imparted by my hardworking mother, a schoolteacher who returned to work when I was merely six weeks old, shaped my understanding of dedication and perseverance. I was often the daycare kid and the latchkey child, yet never once did I doubt her love for me. I sincerely hope my children share the same sentiment for me one day.

### Embracing Realities and Existing Lessons

So, what’s the takeaway from my experiences? While I possess no magic formula for achieving an ideal balance between work and home, I do believe in one critical truth: you are always doing your best. Remember, don’t be overly harsh on yourself. Here’s how I attempt to regain control over my fragmented time and energy distribution whenever possible:

#### Setting Aside Family Time

I make a concerted effort to carve out one day each week dedicated to family time. We’ll gather for breakfast and embark on some exciting morning adventure—be it a scenic bike ride to the city, a visit to a local museum, or simply enjoying fish and chips at the beach. This is the time when we can cherish moments as a unit.

#### Prioritizing Important Events

While I may not be able to attend every school assembly, I prioritize significant events, like when my son’s class is presenting. I also engage actively with my youngest child’s kinder committee, ensuring I’re at every football match. Just recently, I worked tirelessly until the last minute of his presentation day—while covered in coffee grounds and spilled milk—I proudly watched him receiving his trophy.

#### Making Room for Self-Care

The idiom “you can’t pour from an empty cup” rings especially true in managing both my professional obligations and motherhood. I know that without carving out time for myself to unwind and rejuvenate, I am not sufficient for my family or my business. Whether it’s taking an evening walk or enjoying a solitary coffee, these moments matter. Sometimes, I even take an extra half-hour before school pick-up to savor quiet time within my empty house as a way to prepare for the evening’s whirlwind.

### Accepting Life’s Constant Changes

Ultimately, despite our best efforts, it’s inevitable that control is often elusive. That’s simply life with the incessant surprises that come from both work and children. Thus, I breathe deeply, put forth my utmost effort, and remind myself that this phase won’t last forever. Eventually, my children will grow, and my work will demand the focus I desire now. Ironically, even when life feels in control, I will likely miss those chaotic mornings and those spontaneous breakfast moments enjoyed from Tupperware in the car.

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