The Parenthood Paradox: Navigating Work as a Sleep-Deprived Mother

Before I became a parent, I never really gave much thought to how the workplace might not be built with mothers in mind. But now? Oh boy, do I see it. Going to work as a mother often feels like stepping into a parallel universe where the rules of success were crafted by someone who’s never had to juggle a toddler tantrum, a PowerPoint deadline, and their own sanity all before 9 a.m.

Let’s start with the basics. Sleepless nights are the uninvited guest in every working parent’s life, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Whether it’s because your child has decided that 2 a.m. is the perfect time to practice their opera scales or because they’ve caught their 100th bug from daycare (a rite of passage, apparently), exhaustion becomes a constant companion. Add to this the mental load of keeping track of everything from dentist appointments to birthday parties, and it’s no wonder many mothers feel like they’re starring in their own never-ending survival reality show.

Now, let’s talk about work culture. Even in the most progressive, inclusive, “woke” workplaces, the unspoken expectation often remains the same: long hours, short notice, and a side of flexibility… for the business, not you. It’s a culture that aligns beautifully with the traditional “male breadwinner” model, where someone else handles the home front. But if you’re the one managing the home front and the work front, or even if the roles at home are equal - you’re left wondering if anyone actually thought this through. Spoiler: they didn’t. It’s not entirely their fault—capitalism wasn’t exactly designed with empathy as a core value—but maybe, just maybe, it’s time for a rethink.

That said, working mothers are absolute warriors. The resilience, adaptability, and multitasking skills on display are nothing short of superhero-level. Imagine negotiating a multimillion-dollar deal while simultaneously mentally drafting a grocery list and fielding a call from school about your kid’s missing lunchbox. Effortless? Not even close. But mothers make it look that way because, quite frankly, they have no choice. And let me tell you, once you’ve joined the club, your respect for your fellow moms will skyrocket. These women are walking miracles.

But let’s not sugarcoat the sleeplessness. It’s brutal. Sleep deprivation doesn’t just leave you tired; it leaves you questioning your very existence. Will your child’s sleep ever improve? Is it a phase, or will you be stuck with a nocturnal gremlin forever? For some, the answer is a resounding “It’s just a phase,” and for others, it’s a long, slow march through sleepless nights and zombie-like days.

Here’s where I found my game-changer: an infant sleep professional. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. “Why pay someone to teach a baby to sleep? Isn’t that, like, a natural thing?” Oh, sweet summer child, if only it were that simple. Hiring a sleep consultant was the best decision I ever made—not just for my sanity but for my career. Suddenly, I wasn’t running on fumes quite as much. Sure, work is still ridiculously hard, but having one less thing to juggle made all the difference.

So here’s my advice to any fellow parents struggling with sleeplessness and work-life chaos: if your child’s sleep is a battle, get help. Seriously. It’s not indulgent; it’s survival. Because when you’re a working mom, the only way to keep all the plates spinning is to take care of yourself first. Or at least try—because let’s be honest, even superheroes need a nap now and then.

Now obviously this is where I flag my own Sleep Consultancy, Fridays. But fuck it - go with whoever floats your boat but trust me.. you will not regret it.