Motherhood has taught me many things—patience, resilience, and most importantly, the art of letting go. When I imagined raising children, I pictured my partner and me navigating parenthood together, equally sharing the joys and burdens. But reality looks a little different. His job demands long hours, leaving much of the parenting load on me.

There are days when I wish things were different. When I wish he could be around more—not just for the big moments, but for the small, everyday struggles that wear me down. The missed bedtime routines, the endless tantrums, the overwhelming chaos of managing two young children. I feel the weight of it, and sometimes, it feels unfair.

Letting Go of What I Can’t Control

I’ve had to accept that my life, at least for now, looks different from how I envisioned it. Work dinners and casual coffee chats with colleagues? They happen less often. Some meetings that require my physical presence? I choose to miss them. These sacrifices aren’t easy, but they are necessary.

The truth is, I can’t do everything. I can’t be the hands-on parent my children need and also be fully available to my career and social life. Trying to do it all only leaves me exhausted, frustrated, and resentful. So instead, I focus on what I can control—how I respond, how I set priorities, and how I find small moments of peace amidst the chaos.

Making Peace with My Partner’s Help—Even When It’s Limited

While my partner isn’t as available as I’d like, I remind myself that he supports me in ways that aren’t always visible. He shows up when he can, whether it’s handling bedtime on a rare early evening home or making sure I have a few quiet moments to myself on weekends. It may not be equal, but it is effort, and I’m learning to appreciate that.

Instead of focusing on the lack, I try to shift my perspective to the presence—on the moments when he does step in, when he does take over so I can step away, when he does remind me that I am not entirely alone in this.

Choosing What Matters Most

This phase of parenting is demanding, and I know I won’t always have to make these sacrifices. My career will still be there, my social life will evolve, and life will eventually rebalance. But for now, I choose to be at peace with the fact that my priorities look different.

Motherhood has asked me to let go of a version of life I once held onto tightly. And while it isn’t easy, it has also given me something just as valuable—the ability to adapt, to find joy in the moments I do have, and to remind myself that I am doing the best I can.