Mom perfectly nails how impossible it is to be a working mom with kids in sports

Being a working mom is a demanding job in itself, but add to that the whirlwind of after-school sports and activities, and you’ve got a full-blown juggling act on your hands. It’s a challenge many mothers across the globe face, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

The daily routine of a working mom with kids who participate in All The Sports often resembles a well-choreographed dance. From the moment the school bell rings, it’s a race against the clock. The rush begins as you dash from your workplace, praying traffic is on your side, just to make it in time for soccer practice, ballet, or piano lessons.

And sometimes, it’s not choreographed at all. It’s pure chaos. Because we’re human, we’re busy, most of us have no help or village to speak of, and we’re all so very tired. 

Related: Are kids’ packed sports schedules out of hand? A mom’s viral TikTok post sparks debate

Why this TikTok mom’s video is going viral again

Mo, a popular TikTok mom of the account @rexandmo, brilliantly nailed the realities (and immense difficulties) of being a working mom with kids in sports and other after-school activities. 

Mo’s video originally struck a chord when she first shared it, but it’s now going viral again as more working moms relate to the impossible juggle of jobs, sports, and family life. The clip has resurfaced across TikTok and other social platforms, pulling in thousands of comments from parents who say they’re living the exact same reality.

The timing makes sense: with back-to-school season and after-school sports in full swing, moms everywhere are feeling the squeeze. From football practice to ballet rehearsals, parents are revisiting Mo’s words and sharing them like a rallying cry for moms who are stretched too thin.

Related: Mom laments the stress of kids’ travel sports: ‘There’s no fun time anymore’

Her candid take on the mental load of working moms in sports season has become a touchpoint for exhausted parents. Whether it’s planning snacks, hauling gear, or sitting in bleachers with toddlers in tow, the internet is once again uniting around her message: it’s hard, it feels unsustainable, but moms keep showing up anyway.

“Being a working mom with children that have extracurricular activities is unrealistic and just… It is so hard,” she says. “It just doesn’t even make sense. It feels unsustainable. Like, how long am I going to be able to do this? I don’t know. I’m going to work. I’m getting off work. I gotta round everybody up. I got a school-aged child. I got babies at daycare.”

Not to mention for those of us with young kids in sports, the mental burden is ours to bear because we have to remember All The Things for kids who participate in All The Sports. In addition to working, momming, keeping up on school stuff, and everything else.

“I got to make sure I got his stuff for football. I got to make sure I got their snacks. I got to make sure I got a portable potty … When I’m done doing that, sitting there trying to entertain the little ones while the big one is practicing, I then have to go home, wash everybody up, feed everybody, get everybody down for sleep, and do it again the next day.”

“I see why people stay at home. Yeah, I do. I see why because if not, your kids are now eating McDonald’s and Hamburger Helper pretty much every day. This is absolutely crazy … But it’s all for them,” she jokes with a smile. “All for them. I love them. And I wouldn’t trade them for nothing.”

Related: Shawn Johnson East has the perfect perspective on little kids and sports—and we’re here for it

What other moms are saying online

Her words resonated with many, MANY TikTokkers:

“…and people wonder why I want a nice car…I live in it.”

“12 hour shifts with 3 in competitive cheer. I’m tired!”

“Literally this morning I was doing the numbers figuring out if I can afford a part time nanny to take them to all this stuff 😭😭😭 it’s impossible!!”

“Single working mom here . 3 kids on 5 different sport teams at one time, year round. I’m exhausted.”

“It’s so hard!! During baseball season, I had to request PTO at least once a week to get to games.”

Related: It’s OK if you don’t go to every sports game

The hidden rewards of raising kids in sports

Despite these all of these extremely relatable challenges, being a working mom with sports-involved kids also brings immense rewards. It teaches your children about dedication, teamwork, and discipline. It shows them that you value their interests and are willing to go the extra mile to support them.

It also reminds you of your own resilience. You learn to adapt, prioritize, and multitask like a pro. You discover that love knows no bounds, and that even on the craziest days, when you’re running on fumes, seeing your child’s face light up on the field or stage makes it all worthwhile.

Related: I complain a lot about youth sports but I’m going to miss them 

A version of this blog was published on September 18, 2023. It has been updated.