In my previous life, I was a proud member of our local Rotary Club. I loved the sense of community, the guest speakers, and the collective effort to make a difference. Their symbol – a cog in a wheel – has always stuck with me.
A cog might be small, but it keeps everything turning.
These days, as a stay-at-home momma, I am that cog. My role isn’t flashy or headline-worthy, but it keeps our family’s wheel turning, day after day.
The Misconception: “You Must Do Nothing All Day”
Let’s be honest – there’s still a lingering perception that stay-at-home moms do… nothing.
The house is quiet. The kids are at school. From the outside, it might look like we’re living the dream: sipping coffee, watching TV, eating bon bons, maybe sneaking in a nap.
Reality check? It’s anything but restful.
A Day in the Life (That No One Sees)
Behind the scenes, I’m:
- Unloading and loading the dishwasher – again.
- Washing, folding, and putting away the laundry.
- Wiping crumbs off the counters (and the floor, and the couch).
- Restocking the fridge with everyone’s favorite snacks – for this tiny window of time before favorites change again.
- Keeping track of cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and hand soap like a full-time logistics manager.
And I do it all with my trusted tools that make the chaos a little easier:
- My Shark Navigator vacuum that actually gets the glitter out of the rug.
- Swiffer WetJet Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner wipes that smell amazing and keep our tile floors shining.
- These sturdy bins are my dream organizational tool for the pantry.
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No Job Title. No Praise.
There are no performance reviews. No gold stars. No one says, “Wow, Mom – great job on cleaning the bathroom today!”
Instead, the feedback often sounds like:
- “I don’t like this yogurt anymore.”
- “Why didn’t you get the right snacks?”
- “Did you forget the milk?”
It’s a job where no one notices what you’ve done – until something doesn’t get done.
The Emotional Weight of Being the Cog
Some mornings, after drop-off, I come home, sit on the couch, and stare at the TV for an hour. It’s not laziness. It’s mental survival.
There’s a quiet kind of loneliness in this role. My family loves me – I know that – but it’s easy to feel invisible. Like your work only matters when it’s missing.
And yet… I wouldn’t trade this life. I’m grateful to be here. I see the difference in my husband’s calm, my daughter’s confidence, the way our home feels steady because someone’s tending the wheel.
On hard days, I pour myself an extra glass of my favorite iced coffee, take a breath, and remind myself: I matter, even when no one claps for it.
To Fellow Moms: You Are the Cog That Keeps It All Moving
You might not get a trophy, a paycheck, or a glowing review. But without you, the wheel doesn’t turn.
You’re doing an incredible job – even when nobody sees it.
And yes, you’re allowed to enjoy a bon bon. You’ve earned it. Might I recommend these Hershey’s Nuggets?
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Before You Go…
Motherhood can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. If you enjoy honest, heart-centered stories about parenting, marriage, and midlife, I’d love to stay connected.
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