What I’m Learning About Work/Life Integration as a Mom of Two
And favorite recent content
In some ways, having my second child was so much easier than having my first. There was no identity shift (read: identity crisis). I wasn’t getting used to not having a full-time job. Nursing has been a dream (a good one!). I had an older child to take care of, which was hard but also helped get me out of bed, dressed, and out of my head each day. Perhaps most importantly, we were not in a global pandemic, and I had stay-at-home mom friends.
Overstimulated and Overexerted
Still, while my mental health, especially for those first six postpartum months, has been much better, transitioning to two children has been challenging. For one thing, the brain fog is so much worse. Making even small decisions is sometimes so, so hard. I also still get overstimulated some days. There’s so much more noise now!
The experience of being pulled in two different directions—multiple times a day—is also quite an adjustment. If I ever apply for a job again, you’d better believe “managing multiple stakeholders with often contradictory interests” will be going on the list of skills on my resume.
Most of all, though, I’m reevaluating my beliefs about work/life integration.
Read more: https://everydayroses.blog/2025/05/23/what-im-learning-about-work-life-integration-as-a-mom-of-two/
Holy Ambition
Holy Ambition: Thriving as a Catholic Woman at Work and at Home is currently in the top 100 books on work/life balance on Amazon (ironic, since we kind of demolish that term in the book!). You can also order it through Ave Maria Press and use discount code CWIB for almost $4 off.
Favorite Recent Content
(It’s a lot this week, because it’s been a while! Scroll down for book recommendations!)
“The Surgeon and the Homemaker,” by
, at The Public Discourse (if you read nothing else in this email, read this one!)“Chappell Roan, Parenthood, and Primordial Amnesia,” by
, at Word on Fire“Architect of Spain’s famous Sagrada Familia declared venerable,” at Aleteia
“The Runaway Bunny and the God Who Stays,” by
, at“More than Another Class: Baptism Prep as an Opportunity for Evangelization,” by
, at Denver Catholic“Focused on faith and family, Olympic great wants her children to be ‘champions in life,’” by Carole Norris Greene, at Our Sunday Visitor
“Her parents might be canonized; she tells us their story,” by Kathleen Hattrup, at Aleteia
“Pope Francis’ ‘Magisterium of Fragility,’” by Mark Bradford, at Word on Fire
“What If I Wanted To Be A Stay-At-Home Mom For Existential Reasons?,” by Lucy Morris, at Romper
- , at
“Samara Joy Is Bringing Jazz to a New Generation,” by Adrienne Gaffney at Elle (and her albums!)
“Flannery O'Connor's Secret Art: A New Exhibit Reveals Unseen Works,” by Nicole Letts at Southern Living
“‘Salve Regina’ Author Celebrated at Jubilee of People With Disabilities,” by CNS Rome, at Our Sunday Visitor
“‘Close for Comfort’—The Case for Intimate Gatherings,” by
at Casa Zuma“Finding Literary Role Models as a Mother,” by
, at Verily“Mother’s Day and the Foolishness of Speech,” by Jane Sloan Peters, at The Public Discourse
“Honoring the radical choice of full-time motherhood,” by Monica Seeley, at Catholic World Report
“The Mother Whose Catholic Faith Inspired the Future Pope,” by Julie Bosman, at New York Times
“Why Are SAHMs Considered Unambitious When I Feel More Driven Than Ever?,” by Purnima Mani, for The Power Pause
“Beyond Trends: Why Catholic Beauty is Captivating a New Generation,” by
, at National Catholic Register“American Girl Addy Walker's Dress Is A Political Statement,” by Jaha Nailah Avery, at Essence
“On Mother’s Day, Branding, and Choosing to Be Seen Differently,” by
, at“Saving the Farm: How One Southern Family Has Long Championed the Radical Power of Rural Life,” by
, at Garden & Gun“Parents are reading aloud less than ever—just 41% still do it for kids under 5, study finds,” by Amanda Jennings, at Motherly
“Motherhood has a PR problem,” by
, at Born of Wonder“The Stories Girls Need: A Response to Freya India,” by
, at The Public Discourse“Is this the cure for mom comparison?,” by
and Hannah Fleace, at Marian Mindset“Do You Actually Know What Classical Music Is? Does Anyone?,” by Matthew Aucoin, at Atlantic
“Confessions of a Striver,” by
, at Christianity Today“The Beauty That Moral Courage Creates,” by Arthur C. Brooks, at Atlantic
“To Change Your Life, Start With Your Algorithm,” by Lindsey Godwin, at Psychology Today
“Hoda Kotb’s Next Act? A Wellness App,” by
, at Elle
Books I’ve Enjoyed
Read my review of The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids—and Come Back Stronger Than Ever, by
Offer It Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Redemptive Suffering, by Megan Hjelmstad
Who Believed in You: How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World, by Dina Powell McCormick and David McCormick (review to come)
Love Heals: A Biblical Plan to Restore Our Emotions, Memories, Souls, and Bodies, by
(review to come)A Bit Much, by Lyndsay Rush (recommended except for her obvious baggage around Christianity)
The Dearly Beloved, by Cara Wall
I Was Told There’d Be a Village: Transforming Motherhood Through the Power of Connection, by
(review to come)Leading Through: Activating the Soul, Heart, and Mind of Leadership, by Kim B. Clark, Jonathan R. Clark, and Erin E. Clark (review to come)
Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, by
and Ivy Ross
Children’s Books:
Wonder Why, by Lisa Varchol Perron, illustrated by Nik Henderson
Sounds Like Joy, by Yesenia Moises
Punch!: A Story About Kindness, by Michael Hall
Taryn, I had the same experience with two! In some ways parenting was easier but also in other ways, my mental health was especially stretched!! Thanks for your writing and honesty. As always. And including in me in this awesome list. I can't wait to delve into all these reads!!
Thanks, Taryn :)