Diary of a Working Mama – by Aisha Thabet 

I love the quote, “nothing worth having comes easy”.

I am a mama to two beautiful kids and also an English teacher to middle school students! As a full-time working mama, trying to attain perfection isn’t what I want. Trying to balance home life and work life is what I try to achieve everyday.

There are days where I am extremely tired and overwhelmed and there are days where I can accomplish just about anything. Your mindset is your biggest tool to guide you to whatever direction you want it too. I am a teacher during the day and a mom/wife in the evening. I am a full time working mama and also a full time mama at the exact same time. My credibility doesn’t diminish as a mother because I choose to work. When my kids are sick, I drop everything to be there to care for them. Our mornings are filled with rituals and lots of extra hugs and kisses. When we reunite, its almost as epic as the first day I met their beautiful faces. My kids are my world and I make sure to show them and tell them every chance I get. I am a mom just as much as a mom that chooses to stay home. The road to opportunities for my babies will be endless inshAllah. They both have crazy loving parents that chose not to settle when life got hard at 22 and 24 with a newborn. Take everyday as an opportunity to make it the best day ever. Here are a few notes and things that help me stay aligned and focused as a busy mama.

A. Gratitude: The way you wake up and start your day is your biggest weapon against the little voice in your head that tells you you can’t do it. I’m here to tell you that you can. Waking up with gratitude over small everyday things that we take for granted helps my heart come back to my creator. Like saying, “I appreciate this new day and I also appreciate this amazing cup of coffee that I was able to have.” I am all about positive energy. Positivity stems from your soul, so feed it with love and kindness.

B. Time: Everyone has 24 hours in a day and how you use your time is a reflection of your success. Staying off social media during times where I am working and getting tasks done helps me stay focused and aligned. Our car rides to work and back home are filled with talks about our days and how we are excited to play games and spend quality time together. Every morning I reassure my kids how much I love them and how much they are a huge part of who I am. They are the reason why I am choosing to follow my dreams. I want my children to know that whatever they aspire to be in this life can be accomplished. I want them to use the tools of knowledge to guide them to whatever dreams and ambitions they may have. My husband and I will be their biggest cheerleaders in life.

C. My husband. My biggest supporter. My biggest attribution to everything I do. He is always there to lend a hand and there to send me straight back to reality. He has always been a tough love kinda guy that seems to be more on the logical end of things. Sometimes I want him to say the things I want to hear and other times I am thankful he has a good head on his shoulders. When I am in fairytale land, he is there to help me get off. I have more than a partner. He is there to cook dinners when I’m exhausted, fill up my car with gas when he sees it on E, and make me laugh when I am stressed. We try to have date nights without the kids as much as we can and make spending time with each other on top of our priority list. Everything with balance and a sprinkle of kindness, helps us do what we do.

D. Self-care. Find time to take care of you mind, body and soul. Spiritually, mentally and physically. Although it is difficult to make time; carve it out in your day. It can be as simple as a quick run to the gym or a spa day on Sunday. Game night with friends or a shopping trip to target at 10pm by yourself. Your sanity is important and so is your happiness. Make it a priority to take care of yourself. Call your mother, call your father, and always lend a hand. You are a representation to your little ones. Taking care of yourself will ultimately make you happier which in return will help you excel in whatever you do!

Being a working mom has its hard days and amazing days. What helps me the most is being centered with God. Having a relationship with God, gets me through the rough days and happy days. I try to not forget Him on the good days. I am truly blessed to do what I love. Teaching my children and the children in our communities is a gift and privilege that I take close to heart. My son is super proud that his mama is a teacher and I am super proud that I can wake up everyday loving what I do. Your job is not just a job. It is a reflection of who you are. I can’t imagine picking a career that doesn’t help others. I can’t imagine picking a career because of how much it pays. Everyday my students are a clear indication of why I do what I do. These little people need to be around others that radiate a positive healthy mindset. I pray I can be that light for each and every one of my beautiful students. I promise… you can accomplish anything your heart desires (with some sweat and hard work) all while being an amazing and involved mama bear.

xoxo, Aisha Thabet 

Follow Aisha’s journey on Instagram: @Zaydsmommy

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