It was 7 a.m., and the chaos had already begun. Fatimah stood in her kitchen, one hand trying to fix her hijab while the other stirred a pot of oatmeal. Her two-year-old was tugging on her abaya, begging for attention, and her phone buzzed with an urgent work email that simply couldn’t wait. She glanced at the clock—if she didn’t leave in the next ten minutes, she’d be late for her team meeting.
“Oh no, the shoes!” she exclaimed. Of course, one of the kids had hidden her work shoes—again.
“Ya Allah, give me patience,” she muttered under her breath, picking up her toddler and balancing him on her hip as she darted around the house. From her eldest daughter needing help with her school uniform to the baby crying for breakfast, it was a typical morning in the life of Fatimah: Muslim mom, career woman, and master of multitasking.
At work, her colleagues would always ask, “How do you do it, Fatimah? How do you juggle everything?” They would look at her as if she had some secret superpower. Little did they know, Fatimah’s superpower was not in being perfect, but in being resilient, resourceful, and very, very tired.
Later that day, after her work presentation, she sat down at her desk for a moment of peace—or at least, she tried. Another notification popped up: the school had called. Her daughter had forgotten her lunch, and guess who needed to make an emergency delivery? Sarah took a deep breath and smiled. “This is the reality of being a working mom,” she thought. “We’re problem-solvers, everyday superheroes—just without the capes.”
By the time Sarah got home that evening, she was greeted with sticky hands, hugs, and a thousand “Mommy, look at this!” moments. Her house wasn’t picture-perfect, her kids weren’t always on their best behavior, and her career wasn’t always smooth sailing. But somehow, in the midst of the madness, she was doing it—finding her way through the endless juggling act of motherhood and a career.
Later that night, as she tucked her kids into bed and prepared for another day, she opened the Qur’an and found comfort in one of her favorite verses: “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…” (Qur’an 2:286). This was her reminder that even when life felt overwhelming, she was built for this journey.
One of her colleagues, Khadijah, often marveled at how Fatimah managed her dual roles so well. One afternoon, after a particularly busy day, Khadijah approached her. “Fatimah, I really don’t know how you do it. I’m struggling to balance my work with parenting, and I feel like I’m always falling short. Do you have any advice?”
Fatimah smiled warmly. “I totally understand how you feel, Khadijah. It’s tough, and honestly, there’s no magic formula, but there are a few things that have helped me navigate the chaos. Let me share what’s worked for me.”
Fatimah’s Advice to Khadijah on Parenting and Work-Life Balance:
- Don’t Aim for Perfection—Aim for Progress: “Some days you’ll feel like Supermom, and other days you’ll wonder how you managed to get anything done. And that’s okay! Remember, progress is better than perfection. Every step you take is a step in the right direction.”
- Set Boundaries and Prioritize: “You can’t do everything at once, so learn to prioritize. Make a list of what’s most important—whether it’s work deadlines, family time, or personal self-care. Don’t feel guilty about saying ‘no’ when you need to.”
- Delegate and Ask for Help: “You don’t have to carry all the weight by yourself. Get your family involved—whether it’s asking your spouse to handle some chores or getting your kids to pitch in. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘The best of you are those who are best to their families.’ (Tirmidhi).”
- Carve Out Time for Your Ibadah: “In the rush of work and family, don’t forget to make time for your prayers and connection with Allah. That’s what will keep you grounded and give you strength when things get overwhelming.”
- Embrace the Power of Dua: “There will be moments when you feel completely stretched thin. In those moments, turn to dua. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘Indeed, dua is the essence of worship.’ (Tirmidhi). Trust that Allah is listening, and ask for ease in your journey.”
- Create a Flexible Routine: “Routines are helpful, but they don’t have to be rigid. Some days you might have to change your schedule on the fly, and that’s okay. Build flexibility into your routine so you can adapt when life gets hectic.”
- Self-Care is Not Selfish: “As mothers, we tend to put everyone else’s needs first. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. Make time for yourself—even if it’s just a few minutes to enjoy a cup of tea or read a book. You deserve it.”
- Celebrate Your Wins: “Don’t wait for big milestones to pat yourself on the back. Whether it’s managing a work deadline, cooking a healthy dinner, or getting through the day with a smile—celebrate your small wins. Every victory counts.”
- Connect with Other Working Moms: “It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re juggling so much, but there are other Muslim moms going through the same things. Join online communities, attend local events, or simply reach out to friends who understand your challenges. Sometimes, just talking to someone who gets it makes all the difference.”
- Trust in Allah’s Plan: “At the end of the day, remember that Allah has written your journey perfectly, even with all the ups and downs. Have faith that every challenge is an opportunity for growth, and trust that Allah knows your capacity.”
Khadijah smiled, feeling more at ease. “Thank you, Fatimah. I needed that reminder. It’s good to know I’m not alone, and that even supermoms like you have days where everything isn’t perfect.”
Fatimah chuckled. “Oh, trust me, Khadijah, I have plenty of those days. But with the right mindset, a little faith, and a whole lot of patience, we can get through it.”
