Motherhood is a very heavy word. It carries with it not just love and warmth, but also responsibility, guilt, and an invisible scoreboard we never agreed to compete on.
As a working professional, I often feel like I’m somehow falling short in giving enough love and care to my child. I thought I was the only one who felt this way, that my efforts were not enough.
It begins quietly. A small thought, a slight tug. A glance at Instagram in between office work, and there she is. That mother. The one who packs millet dosas shaped like dolphins, who captions beachside picnics with poetic flair, who seems to have it all together. The glow, the giggles, the gourmet lunches.
And here I am, hurriedly slathering jam on toast while mentally rehearsing my lectures and hoping I haven’t forgotten to iron my child’s school uniform. Again.
As a working mother, I often wonder, am I enough? Am I giving my child enough love, enough time, enough presence? There are days I feel like I’m offering only the leftovers. The remnants of my energy, attention, and affection. All while trying to be a competent professional, an attentive parent, a caring partner, and a functioning human being.
I used to believe I was alone in this quiet struggle. But a simple tea break in our college staffroom told me otherwise. I sat with a few fellow mothers, and for once, we spoke openly. Not polite small talk, but real conversation. The kind that ends with eyes softening and shoulders lowering. We all shared the same invisible burden. We live in a world where hustle culture has married perfectionism, and motherhood has been rebranded as a glossy online performance. If you’re not creating themed tiffin’s, planning educational outings, documenting every festival creatively, or color-coordinating outfits with your child, it feels like you’re somehow falling behind.
But here’s what I want every working mother to know. `
You are enough, Aai. Truly.
Yes, you. The one who drops her child off in a rush. The one who showed up to the PTA meeting in crumpled workwear. The one who hasn’t made “fun snacks” in weeks because she’s juggling grocery lists and deadlines. The one who dreams of five quiet minutes and wonders if her child even notices the hundreds of things she does silently, lovingly, and without applause.
Let me say it again. You are enough.
We must stop measuring ourselves against curated content online. Instagram is not real life. It is a highlight reel. The mother posting pictures of beach outings might also be battling burnout. The one who packs Bento-style lunches might be crying silently in her car. Everyone is struggling with something. We just can’t see it through filters.
Motherhood doesn’t come with a rubric. It isn’t a checklist or a competition. It is about showing up with love, with care, with consistency. It is about presence, not perfection.
Now, I remind myself that whatever time I get with my child, I will be completely there. Ten minutes of storytelling with no distractions is far more meaningful than an hour spent scrolling my phone beside her.
Children don’t need grandeur. They need connection. They need a look that says, “I see you,” a voice that says, “I’m here,” and moments that say, “You matter.” These are the memories that anchor them.
Our kids don’t care if the house is spotless or if every chore is done. They care about how we made them feel. Were we kind? Were we listening? Were we trying?
Still, we feel guilty. Guilty for doing too little. Guilty for wanting too much. Guilty for needing rest. We carry this guilt like a second skin while we juggle homes, careers, families, friendships, and unseen mental loads.
But we must remind ourselves, wanting a break does not make us inadequate. It makes us human.
“Me time” is not indulgence. It is maintenance. Sometimes it means simply sitting in a corner with a warm cup of tea and nobody calling your name. It is about gathering your thoughts, affirming your worth, and returning not perfect, but grounded.
Motherhood is not martyrdom. You do not have to burn out to prove your love. You don’t need to make everything look effortless. You don’t owe anyone a showcase. You are already doing the invisible, emotional, and essential work of raising a human being while managing ten other roles.
So, to every mother who feels like she’s not doing enough, know this. You are not failing. You are doing the impossible, often without recognition. And somehow, you are still smiling.
Let’s stop saying “I should have” and begin saying “I did my best.” Because we do. Every single day.
If you’re reading this during your lunch break, or your bus ride home, or while hiding in the kitchen for a moment of quiet, this message is for you.
You are not alone in your tiredness. You are not alone in your doubts. You are not alone in your quiet, fierce love.
Let’s rewrite the story. Let’s unfollow guilt and follow grace. Let’s celebrate the messy, brave, resilient mothers who show up not because it’s easy, but because they care. Because they try. Because they love.
And that, Aai, is more than enough.
(The writer is an Assistant Professor at the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Quepem)
