I'll have what she's having

I think it’s time for a little confession.

All this time, I haven’t lived motherhood without help. And no, I don’t mean my husband taking over the daily childcare—I mean actual help. Since my kids were born, I’ve had a nanny, and during the times I didn’t, my parents stepped in.

In fact, until very recently, I had a live-in nanny for over two years. When it was time for her to return home, I panicked. I called my parents, and the next day, they were on a flight to come stay with us. It was a relief. I could feel like a daughter again. They got to spend real time with their grandchildren. And for three months, I had support—not just with the kids and house chores, but emotionally. It was fun. It was needed.

But then, of course, the dream came to an end.

Suddenly, it was just me. And if I’m honest? I was scared. I hadn’t truly done the full-time, solo parenting thing. Ever. How was I going to manage the house, cook, clean, care for the kids, carve out time for myself, and still have the energy to enjoy a glass of wine and a show with my husband at night without collapsing into bed?

Then it hit me.

Why did I think I had to do it all at the same time?
I was capable of doing everything—but not all at once. And that shift in perspective changed everything.

There was absolutely no need to clean, cook, do laundry, and have the house looking like a magazine shoot all in one day. It didn’t have to be Instagram-ready. It just had to feel right for us.

So I started prioritizing. I got in sync with my mood, picked what felt doable that day, and let the rest go. And honestly? It took so much pressure off.

What helps me the most is starting with something just for me—usually a workout. Then I choose a chore. Later, I get inspired to cook. I put on music, I dance a little, I make it fun—because I genuinely love cooking. Then I pick up the kids from daycare, we eat, we play, we do the night routine. And when they’re finally in bed, I sit down to have dinner with my husband, maybe watch an episode of something we love. That, to me, is a win.

Little by little, I’ve found a rhythm. And no, not every day looks the same. Some days I do two chores. Some days, none. Maybe dinner is something simple. Or maybe I spend an hour making something from scratch just because I want to. It varies.

But here’s the rule that stays the same:
I come first. The rest will follow.

Because when you cater to yourself first, you’re not running on fumes. You’re more present. More joyful. More you. And sometimes, doing absolutely nothing is the win.

So here I am—ready to be the grown-up. The mother. The wife. The friend.
With a full cup.

Let’s see how this new formula holds up. I’ll keep you posted in a month or so.
À bientôt.