A Secret to Success as a Working Mom: Turn Burn Out Into Bliss and Embrace Joy

Last weekend my youngest was committed to going to the "Water Steps" a man-made water fall in Pittsburgh by the rivers. (Fun Fact: Three rivers converge in Pittsburgh--The Ohio River, The Monongahela River, and the Allegheny River.)  He kept asking. I knew he was serious when he said, "If you won't take me, I'll ask  daddy!" Given that it was highly unlikely that would happen on an unscheduled day, I relented. So, we went. It wasn’t planned in the way most things in my life are. No calendar block. No checklist. No “productive” purpose attached. And, so in some respects it was uncomfortable. And yet, it seemed necessary. It was the idea of my 8-year-old—offered with the kind of urgency only children possess when something is profoundly important to them.

Working Mom Tip: Take Time For Yourself #BadMoms

Moms having fun
Moms having fun


I have written a lot about how working moms should enjoy their families and their weekends. However, it is also important for working moms to take time for themselves. Last week, I was fortunate enough to have a night out with some other hard working moms. We went to see a complimentary screening of the movie, “Bad Moms”!


We totally embraced the theme. We began the evening with cocktails and ended it with conversation in the parking lot—parking lot pimpin’. It was like college!

It was quite a treat. Mila Kunis is a comedic talent. Christina Applegate and Jada Pinkett did a great job too.

A group of Bad Moms at the movies!
In addition to the acting, the story was very relatable. They portrayed moms struggling with their mommy journey. Seeing other moms struggle—even on screen moms—was humbling. The portrayal of the working mom resonated with me.

As Mila Kunis says at the end of the movie, "We are all bad moms!" Hearing someone say it out loud made me feel better!

It showed how working moms struggle with the guilt of coming up short at home and at work. It did a great job of portraying the struggle—our struggle. The struggle where we try to do too much and come up short. The struggle where we are often late in our pursuit of trying to make everybody happy. The internal struggle we experience…

Seeing the movie with seven of my mommy friends and blog followers made it even better!


I actually managed to go out on Friday night too. These breaks from my mommy duties refresh me and make me better for my family!

I hope you get to take some time for yourself soon! And check out the movie!

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