Welcome to Balancing Mom Life, where I share my journey navigating motherhood, faith, school, and personal growth while encouraging other moms walking similar paths.
Balancing work, school, and motherhood is one of the hardest yet most rewarding journeys I have ever experienced. Some days, I feel like I am accomplishing everything I set out to do. Other days, I feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and unsure if I am doing enough. But through it all, I am learning that balance is not about perfection. It is about persistence, grace, and showing up even when life feels heavy.
As a single mom, full-time student, and working professional, my life often feels like a constant rotation of responsibilities. I am raising my son while building my future, and although it is not always easy, it is a journey that continues to shape me into a stronger, more resilient woman.
The Reality of Wearing Multiple Hats
Many people talk about balance like it is something you eventually master, but the truth is balance changes daily. Some days, I am focused more on work. Other days, school assignments take priority. And every single day, motherhood remains my most important role.
There are mornings when I wake up early to get myself ready for work while also preparing my son for school. The mornings can feel rushed, but they are filled with responsibilities that set the tone for our entire day. Once he is ready, I often transition straight into my own responsibilities, whether that means heading to work, logging into classes, or preparing for assignments.
Because I work rotating shifts, my schedule is constantly changing. Sometimes, I am working on my assignments during breaks at work, trying to make the most of every moment I have. Other times, my schoolwork continues after I pick my son up from school. Once we get home, my focus shifts fully into mom mode.
I help him with his homework while managing my own. I make sure he is fed, comfortable, and emotionally supported after a long school day. Evenings are filled with routines that keep our household running. I prepare everything for the next morning, including his clothes, lunch, snacks, water bottle, and making sure his planner is signed and ready to go back to school. I make sure he takes his medications, vitamins, and gets his bath before bedtime.
Despite how busy life can get, I also try to stay involved in his school as much as possible by volunteering whenever I can. Seeing how excited and proud he gets when I am present reminds me why I continue pushing through even the most exhausting days.
Our home is also filled with love and responsibility through our pets. We have a toy poodle who brings laughter, comfort, and companionship into our daily routine. We also have a fish that my son enjoys caring for. He previously had a hamster that sadly passed away, which was a difficult moment for him, but it also taught him compassion and responsibility. Caring for pets while balancing work, school, and motherhood adds another layer to our busy life, but it also fills our home with warmth and joy.
There are nights when I put my son to sleep so I can focus on my schoolwork afterward. Sometimes, while lying down with him until he falls asleep, I end up falling asleep myself without even realizing it. Those moments remind me how exhausting motherhood and responsibilities can be, but they also remind me how special those quiet moments are. Even when I do not get everything done exactly as planned, I remind myself that I am still doing my best.
There are also nights when, after everything is done and my son is finally asleep, I stay up completing homework because it is the only quiet time I have to focus. There are moments when I feel completely drained, but I remind myself that every sacrifice I make today is helping build a stronger future for both of us.
It is exhausting, but it is also meaningful. I remind myself that everything I am working toward is not just for me, but for him as well.
Learning to Let Go of Perfection
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that perfection is unrealistic, especially for moms balancing multiple responsibilities. Social media often shows perfectly organized homes, perfectly scheduled routines, and moms who seem to have endless energy. Real life does not always look like that.
There are days when laundry piles up. There are days when dinner is simple and quick. There are days when I have to remind myself that being present with my son is more important than having everything perfectly planned.
I have learned that doing my best is enough. Progress matters more than perfection.
Managing Time While Protecting Mental Health
Time management has become essential in my life, but I have also learned that managing time includes protecting my mental and emotional health. I try to plan my week ahead when possible, create routines that help me stay organized, and give myself grace when unexpected challenges arise.
There have also been emotional challenges that have shaped who I am today. Losing my father unexpectedly just days before my eighteenth birthday was one of the most painful experiences of my life. Grief is something that does not simply disappear with time. It becomes something you learn to carry while continuing to live, grow, and love.
Even now, I sometimes find pieces of him in my memories, my strength, and in small moments when I see familiar traits in my son that remind me of him. My son shares similarities that feel deeply meaningful to me, and those moments remind me of the lasting impact love can have across generations. Losing my father taught me resilience, but it also reminds me daily to cherish the time I have with the people I love.
During moments when stress, exhaustion, or emotional weight feels overwhelming, I lean into my faith, prayer, and self-reflection. I remind myself that difficult seasons do not last forever, and every step forward still counts as progress.
Motherhood as My Motivation
Motherhood is the center of everything I do. My son inspires me to continue pushing forward even when I feel tired or discouraged. I want him to grow up seeing perseverance, strength, and faith in action. I want him to understand that challenges do not define us, but how we respond to them does.
Balancing school and work is not just about building a career. It is about creating stability, opportunities, and a strong foundation for our future. Every late night studying, every early morning routine, and every sacrifice is rooted in love.
What I Am Still Learning
I am still learning how to ask for help when I need it. I am still learning how to rest without guilt. I am still learning that self-care is not selfish, but necessary. Most importantly, I am learning that it is okay to grow slowly. Growth is still growth.
Balance is not something I have mastered. It is something I am continuously working toward. Some weeks feel easier than others, but every week teaches me something new about strength, patience, and faith.
Encouragement for Other Moms
If you are balancing work, school, motherhood, or any combination of responsibilities, I want you to know you are not alone. You are doing better than you think you are. It is okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. It is okay to rest. It is okay to take life one day at a time.
Your efforts matter. Your sacrifices matter. Your growth matters.
You are stronger than you realize.
Closing Thoughts
Balancing work, school, and motherhood is not a perfect journey, but it is a meaningful one. Every challenge I face continues to shape the woman and mother I am becoming. I am learning to embrace the journey, trust the process, and give myself grace along the way.
Most importantly, I am learning that balance is not about having everything under control. It is about continuing to show up with love, faith, and determination, even on the hardest days.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Shantell — a single mom, student, and working professional navigating life through faith, growth, and resilience. I share my journey of balancing motherhood, education, wellness, and personal healing in hopes of encouraging other women who are walking similar paths.
Balancing Mom Life 