Skip to main content

Juggling Motherhood, Business, and Academics

 

Can One Find Joy in a Full Schedule?👀

Life as a mom, wife, entrepreneur, and academic often feels like I’m balancing on a tightrope, with one foot carefully placed ahead of the other. Some days, I just about nail the landing. Other days, I’m wobbling, arms flailing, praying I don’t tumble into chaos. And if I do, that I can quickly get back up. But amidst all the juggling, I’ve found moments of joy that make it all worthwhile. Here’s how I navigate this busy season of life.

Embracing the Chaos

The first thing I’ve learned is to embrace the chaos rather than fight it. With a newborn’s unpredictable schedule and a toddler’s boundless energy, I’ve had to let go of the idea that everything needs to go as planned. Instead, I focus on setting flexible priorities—a to-do list that bends with the day’s demands. On some days, the priority is meeting a lecturing deadline. On others, it’s giving my baby those extra cuddles she needs or being present for my toddler’s afternoon adventures.

Anticipating a New Chapter

This year, I’m beginning my post-grad journey—a step I’ve dreamed of taking for years. But with that dream comes a hefty dose of anticipation and nervousness. Honestly, the thought of balancing everything with the added pressure of academic deadlines is enough to paralyze a live cow (and maybe even me on some days!). Yet, it’s a challenge I’m ready to face, knowing it’s part of building the life I’ve envisioned.

Planning Ahead but Staying Flexible

Having a plan is essential, but so is the ability to adapt. For me, Sunday evenings are sacred for planning the week ahead. I review work commitments, business tasks, and family needs, penciling everything into my planner. But I also leave space for the unexpected—because, as any mom knows, there will always be surprises (like a toddler meltdown or a baby growth spurt).

Delegating and Asking for Help

One of my biggest lessons has been understanding that I don’t have to do it all alone. Whether it’s asking my husband to take over bath time or outsourcing parts of my businesses, I’ve learned that delegating doesn’t mean I’m failing—it means I’m prioritizing what matters most. It’s also how I make room for those moments of joy.

Finding Joy in the Little Moments

In the midst of all the busyness, I’ve learned to find joy in the little moments. It’s the sound of my toddler’s giggles as we dance in the living room, the quiet calm of nursing my baby in the early morning, or the satisfaction of crossing something off my to-do list. These small moments are reminders of why I do what I do.

Letting Go of Perfection

Perfection is overrated. My house won’t always be spotless, my to-do list won’t always get completed, and sometimes dinner might just be takeout. Or cereal. And that's okay...Who's checking?! Giving myself grace has been a game-changer in finding balance and joy.

Looking Ahead

This season of life is full, but it’s also fleeting. One day, my kids won’t need me as much, and my schedule won’t revolve around nap times and snack breaks. Until then, I’m choosing to savor these moments and remind myself that I’m building something beautiful—not just in my career but also in my family.

If you’re a mom juggling multiple roles, how do you find joy in the midst of it all? 

I’d REAAAAALLY love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. ☺

Cheering you on always 💖

Your Mom-Friend

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Balancing Motherhood and Career: Lessons from a Civil Engineer Mom

  Hey, lovely soul! 🌸 Welcome to my first post on The In-Betweens ! I thought there’d be no better way to kick things off than by diving into something that’s at the very heart of my life—balancing motherhood and career. If you’re anything like me, you know this balancing act feels more like a daily juggling show, with no shortage of dropped balls. But somehow, we keep it all in the air, right? For those of you meeting me for the first time, I’m Tshenolo—a mom to two little ones, a wife, and a civil engineer. Though I haven’t worked in the field since August 2022, I’ve transitioned to part-time lecturing, which means I spend most of my days at home. This shift came from a strong urge to be more available for my family while still staying connected to my passion for teaching and engineering. Between managing toddler tantrums, lecturing, and trying to sneak in some creativity through podcasting and video creation, I’ve learned a few things about how to keep my sanity intact while na...
4 comments
Read more

The Art of Not Losing Your ****** Mind

If there were an award for surviving an impossibly hectic week without completely spiraling, I’d like to think I’d be in the running—barely, but still. Between academia, a five-month-old deciding that sleep is an optional luxury, and life demanding I show up in all the ways, I have had to pull from reserves I did not know existed. Academia in Overdrive: The Balancing Act Last week was academic chaos. Between in-person lectures, assignments, tests and trying to wrap my head around coursework that refuses to be simple, I found myself drowning in readings and deadlines while also attempting to function as a sane human being. Spoiler: The sane part? Questionable. There were moments when I stared blankly at my laptop screen, willing it to magically complete my work for me. And when that didn’t happen (because, obviously), I had to power through—often with a baby strapped to my chest because, of course, he decided this was the perfect time to stage a sleep rebellion. Sleep Regression: Th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hey You, It’s Been a While.

  You know that moment when you run into an old friend you haven’t seen in forever, and instead of the usual small talk, you both just sigh ? Like,  “B*… where do I even begin?” Yeah. That’s this post. That’s this moment. That’s me, showing up to The In-Betweens with one eye twitching from exhaustion, one hand cradling a cup of hot chocolate (that I may or may not finish while it’s still hot), and a heart that’s been quietly whispering, “Write. Say something. Let it out.” So here I am. Halfway through the year. Somehow both crawling and flying. Somehow laughing and crying. Somehow functioning on equal parts fumes, faith, and fibre. Motherhood Has Me by the Neck, Tits and the Heart Let’s start there, shall we? I am knee   deep in the trenches of motherhood. Like, “wipe your tears with a wet wipe and keep it moving” deep. One child on my hip, one in my ears, asking questions faster than my brain can formulate answers. There are days I feel like a vending machine ...
Post a Comment
Read more