It's a common misconception that working moms should be able to handle everything on their own.

When the myth of having it all meets the reality of juggling a career, family, and household, we start to see there are so many more challenges than we realized.

The truth is, you don't have to do it all.

No matter what stage of motherhood you're in, it's completely normal to feel overwhelmed.

Whether you have a newborn or teenagers, the demands on your time and energy can be exhausting.

The unfortunate truth is that it's hard to work and be a mom in our world.

Here are things a lot of moms deal with.

• Scheduling: Juggling work schedules, school calendars, and extracurricular activities can be a nightmare.

• Dinnertime: Finding healthy and satisfying meals that everyone will enjoy can be a daily challenge.

• Extracurriculars: Being involved in your child's activities is important, but it can also be time-consuming.

• Transportation: It's no wonder many moms feel like underpaid taxi drivers!

• Household chores: Keeping a clean and organized home can be difficult when you're already stretched thin.

No wonder we feel exhausted.

The pressure to be a perfect mom, the perfect employee, and the perfect wife is what leads to you feeling of guilt and shame.

But remember, it's completely normal to feel this way.

The first step to feeling better is to acknowledge that you're not alone.

Many working moms struggle with the same feelings.

I know that doesn't make it go away, but it certanly doesn't hurt to know that there are others out there who feel like you do.

Mom guilt is a common emotional experience for mothers, especially working moms.

If I were to define what mom guilt is, it's the feeling of inadequacy or failure that comes from thinking that you're not doing enough for your children or your family.

Why do we always think we're not doing enough?

Or being enough?

It's because over time we've seen and heard so many messages, either from people we know, or from movies and TV that say we have to do it ALL.

Here are some things you might be doing that are causing the feelings of inadequacy, guilt, and shame.

Comparing yourself to other moms

We see other moms who look like they have all their shit together, and we compare ourselves to them.

You have to remember that everyone's situation is different.

And besides that, people only show you the best sides of themselves.

My mother used to say that you never know what's happening behind closed doors. Nowadays, with everyone sharing their lives on social media, it's easy to think we know everything about people, but we really don't.

Feeling like we're not doing enough for our kids

Let me be the first to tell you: You are doing MORE than enough.

There is literally no award for mother of the year.

We're all doing our best.

You're doing fine, and your kids are great.

Guilt about working

Some moms feel guilty about working outside the home, believing that they should be home with their children full-time.

I see this a lot with newer moms or moms of babies.

I remember when my second son was born, and I wished I could stay home with him.

At the time, it wasn't possible. It felt terrible, but to be honest, he thrived in day care.

He made so many friends, and he was ready for Kindergarten by the time it came around. Looking back, I wouldn't do it any other way.

Perfectionism There's no such thing as the perfect mom. In the book The Gift of Imperfection Brene Brown describes perfectionism as a shield.

She says that when you try so hard to fit in, belong, or look like someone else, you're using perfectionism as a shield from an emotion like fear. We're afraid that if we don't parent the exact right way, we'll be shunned by society or that we'll screw up our kids somehow. When you're so busy trying to be perfect, you miss the moments when life happens.

I'll be honest, it may not be possible to completely eliminate mom guilt, but there are some things you can do to manage it and reduce its impact on your life.

1. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and avoid negative self-talk.

2. Set realistic expectations: Don't try to be perfect. Focus on doing your best, rather than striving for perfection.

3. Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings.

4. Take care of yourself: Make time for activities that you enjoy.

5. Limit social media: Social media can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and comparison.

6. Celebrate your accomplishments: Acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem.

Like I said, you're probably always going to deal with a little bit of mom guilt, but at least you can manage it.

Finding a balance between work and family life can be challenging, but it's essential for your well-being.

When I talk about balance I'm not talking about everything being equal all the time.

In other words, you're not going to be able to spent 1/3 of your time on work, 1/3 on family and 1/3 on you. Not all the time anyway.

Different seasons of our lives look different.

I spend my time much differently now that my kids are teenagers than I did when they were babies.

Here are a few ideas for trying to get closer to balanced.

• Set boundaries: Learn to say no to additional commitments if you're feeling overwhelmed.

• Delegate tasks: Don't be afraid to ask for help from your partner, family, or friends.

• Prioritize: Focus on the most important tasks and let go of less essential ones.

• Take breaks: Schedule time for yourself to relax and recharge.

• Create a routine: Having a routine can help you feel more organized and in control.

Remember, you're not alone in this journey called motherhood.

Lots of other working moms are facing similar challenges.

By understanding mom guilt, practicing self-compassion, and finding balance, you can overcome these obstacles and create a fulfilling life for yourself and your family.

Learn how to overcome mom guilt, so you can be a happier mom who is able to spend time with family and take care of yourself.