Balancing Household Responsibilities When You Go Back to Work

In this episode of Back to Work, Carrie and Angie get real about what it takes to rebalance household responsibilities when you return to work after being home with your kids. They unpack the guilt, the overwhelm, and the myth that you can keep doing it all exactly the same way.

You’ll hear stories from both hosts about what worked (and what didn’t), how to rethink priorities, and why your well-being has to be part of the household plan—not an afterthought.

If you’ve been wondering how to manage laundry, meal prep, and morning chaos without losing your mind, this one’s for you.

• Redefine “balanced.” It doesn’t mean 50/50—it means what works now.

• Get it out of your head. Write down every task you do and look at it with your partner and kids.

• Set a realistic baseline. Everyone fed, clothed, and hugged? That’s a win.

• One true priority. The word priority was singular for centuries for a reason—you can’t have ten “most important” things.

• You come first. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s maintenance for the glue that holds everything together.

  
  

  What to do Next

• 🎧 Subscribe to Back to Work so you never miss an episode.

• 💌 Download the Free Guide: Back to Work in 3 Steps your first step toward finding flexible, meaningful work that fits your life.

• 🤝 Share this episode with another mom who’s thinking about returning to work—because no one should do this alone.

• Connect with Carrie: www.carriemcfarland.com⁠

Adjusting Your Daily Routine When You Go Back to Work

In this episode, Carrie and Angie dive into one of the most underestimated parts of returning to work as a stay-at-home mom — adjusting your daily routine.

What sounds like a simple change—“just tweak your schedule”—is actually a major emotional and logistical shift for you and your family. The hosts share personal stories and practical insights to help you navigate that transition with more grace, patience, and flexibility.

They explore:

• Why changing your daily routine is not a small thing

• How family dynamics shift when mom goes back to work

• The importance of giving yourself (and your kids) grace in the messy middle

• Creative ways to rethink routines like mornings, meals, and bedtime

• Letting go of guilt and perfection to find what works for your family

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to “do it all” while re-entering the workforce, this conversation will remind you that you’re not failing—you’re simply transitioning.

• Change is hard—and that’s okay.

• Routines impact the whole family, not just you.

• Grace beats guilt every time.

• Experiment, adjust, and find your rhythm—it doesn’t have to be perfect.

• • Traditions can evolve. Do what truly works for your household.
  • Celebrate yourself—because you are absolutely killing it.

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  Next Steps:

• 💌 Subscribe so you never miss an episode.
  👭 Share this episode with another mom who’s preparing to go back to work.
  🎁 Grab your free guide — Back to Work in 3 Steps It’s your first step toward returning to work with confidence and clarity.
  🎧 Catch up on earlier episodes, especially Episode 1, where Carrie and Angie talk about the identity shift from stay-at-home mom to working mom.

  Carrie McFarland Coaching

Ep 4 - Childcare Real Talk: What No One Talks About When You're Going Back to Work

In this episode of Back to Work, Carrie and Angie dive into what happens after you land the job — the messy, beautiful, complicated logistics of actually being back at work. From finding childcare to juggling schedules, sick days, and the emotional load of it all, this conversation is here to name and normalize the very real challenges that come with re-entering the workforce as a mom.

What We Talk About:

• The emotional and logistical shift from being home full-time to working outside the home

• Real-life childcare stories: home daycares, family help, and the rising costs of care

• Split schedules and how they affect relationships and mental load

• The ripple effect of sick days and school closures

• Why having a “school-age” child doesn’t automatically make things easier

• The power of naming your challenges and normalizing the chaos

Key Takeaways:
💡 There’s no “perfect” childcare situation — only what works best for your family right now.
💡 Split shifts may save on daycare costs but can strain relationships and energy.
💡 Even with school-aged kids, expect interruptions — sick days, breaks, and random closures are part of the deal.
💡 You’re not failing — it’s just hard. Naming it helps you breathe easier.
💡 You are a badass for showing up in all of this.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• ChildCare.gov – National resource for finding licensed childcare providers and learning about financial assistance options

• NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) – Guidance on choosing quality early childhood programs

• Care.com – Platform for finding local childcare providers, nannies, and babysitters

Quote of the Episode:

“Name it and normalize it. There’s nothing wrong with you — you’re doing great.”

Connect:

• Download Back to Work in 3 Steps!

• Subscribe to Back to Work wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave a review to help other moms find the show.

• Visit Carrie McFarland Coaching