A Day in the Life: Balancing Motherhood, Photography, and a Part-Time Job
A Day in the Life: Balancing Motherhood, Photography, and a Part-Time Job
Hey, mama.
Let’s talk real life.
I’m a photographer based in Columbia, MO. I’m also a wife, work part-time, and most importantly a full-time mommy to two beautiful little humans. Most days are chaos of school drop-offs, editing galleries, laundry piles, toddler cuddles, and grabbing happy hour drinks from sonic with my son while we recap his day of school.
Some days, I feel like I’ve got it all together. Other days, I’m just proud we made it to bed at a decent hour.
This post is for every mom juggling all the hats: the stay-at-home moms holding down the fort, the entrepreneurs building their dreams, the working moms making it happen. We all wear capes even when no one sees them.
Let me walk you through a typical day in my world.
7:00 AM: School Drop-Off & Solo Time
The day starts early. I take my son to school around 7 AM, and that moment of peace right after I drop him off is gold. I head to the gym, not just for physical health, but for mental clarity. Moving my body helps me reset, clear the mental fog, and prepare for whatever the day throws at me and the days where it just seems too much… I sit in my driveway and doom scroll for 30minutes trying to figure out how I am going tackle my day.
8:30 AM: Coffee or Chores? (Or Both)
After the gym, I play a mental game:
Do I treat myself to a drive-thru coffee now?
Or do I knock out a chore or two and earn that iced latte later?
Rewarding myself for finishing chores helps keep things realistic. I try to keep my daily task list to just three things—the top three priorities that will make me feel accomplished without overwhelming me. This keeps my anxiety low and my energy balanced. If I overload myself with unrealistic goals it disrupts my mood and sets myself up for disappointment leaving me feeling like I didn’t do enough, or I’ll compare myself to the tik-tok girlies who seem to get a thousands chores done in one video.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Baby Time & Tackling the Tough Stuff
During the day, I’m home with my 1-year-old daughter. While I’m at the gym, my amazing mom watches her. When I get back, we have breakfast together, I get her dressed, and then I let her watch a show for about 30-40 minutes while I take care of my hardest task for the day—maybe it's cleaning the bathroom, tackling dishes, or folding the laundry that’s been staring me down for three days.
Then we spend some quality time together reading, playing, and soaking up those sweet little girl giggles.
Nap Time = Work Time (or Couch Time)
When she naps, I have two options:
Dry rot on the couch and scroll TikTok guilt-free.
Get a quick editing session in and knock out client work.
Both are productive in their own ways. One nurtures my business, the other nurtures me. If I dry rotted in the driveway and didn’t gym that day then I definitely get my butt on the computer whether I feel like it or not.
Afternoon Pick-Up + Sonic Happy Hour
After nap and lunch, it’s usually time to pick up my son from school. We have a little tradition: Sonic happy hour. He tells me all about his day, and I tell him what’s left on our home to-do list. Sometimes he helps out with his sister, other times they both pitch in. Including my kids in household chores makes it less stressful and it teaches them responsibility in a fun, practical way. I let them organize the stacks of laundry or throw away random trash or vacuum/sweep while I complete various tasks.
Evenings: Family Time & Closing Up Shop
By the time dad gets home, most of the big stuff is done. We always carve out time for intentional family connection—a walk, a trip to the splash pad, batting cages, or just unwinding together. That one hour of undivided time matters.
After dinner and bedtime routines, my husband and I do what we call “closing up shop.” We tidy up, lay out the clothes and bags for tomorrow, and mentally reset for a fresh start. After that is done we decide if we are going to be early or are we going to find a “quick” show or movie that ends up taking us way too long or we keep watching episodes.
On Work Days...
On the days I go to my part-time job, things don’t always get done. But the core routine stays the same: drop-offs, gym/coffee, family time, and closing up shop.
What I’ve Learned (And What I Hope You Know Too)
Don’t over-schedule yourself. Three solid tasks a day is more than enough.
Say “no” when you need to. You’re allowed to have limits and you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
Include your kids in the routine. It’s not about perfection, it’s about participation.
Protect your peace. Whether it’s five minutes with a coffee, an hour at the gym, or sitting in your car scrolling the same themed tik-toks, those resets are sacred.
You matter, mama. Your health, your joy, your boundaries. They’re not optional. They’re essential.
Some days will feel impossible.
And yet, here you are, still showing up.
That’s your superpower.
