'I had minutes to figure out how I was going to work that day'

One of the hardest days I experienced as a working mom happened when my oldest daughter was 1 and I was six months pregnant with my second daughter.

At the time, I was doing what so many working moms do daily: managing the schedule, getting everyone where they needed to be, trying to show up fully at work while carrying the mental load of motherhood and pregnancy. My days were planned down to the minute.

That morning, I packed up my daughter, loaded the diaper bag into the car, and drove to the babysitter before work. Completely normal morning. Or so I thought.

I pulled into the driveway, walked up to the door, and the babysitter told me she no longer wanted to watch my daughter anymore. Just like that.

No heads up. No “Let’s finish out the week.” No transition. Just me, standing there pregnant with a toddler on my hip thinking, “What now?”

I remember sitting in my car completely overwhelmed trying not to cry because I had minutes to figure out how I was going to work that day. And how was I going to make this all work moving forward?

I think so many moms know this feeling. The pressure of needing to hold it together when your world is unraveling because people are still counting on you. Your family needs you. Your job needs you.

What I learned during that season is moms are far more resourceful than we give ourselves credit for.

I leaned on family. I asked for help. I pieced things together day by day until eventually I found a long-term babysitter, who ended up becoming one of our greatest blessings. She cared for my girls for years, loved them like her own, and brought so much peace into a season that initially felt so chaotic.

Looking back now, that experience also confirmed something bigger for me.

At the time, I was working a more traditional 9-5 role, and I still believe there is value in that path for so many women. But I started realizing how deeply I craved flexibility, creativity and ownership over my time. I wanted to build a life where I could pursue my passions while also being present for my family.

That day did not magically turn me into an entrepreneur overnight. But it planted something in me.

Now, as a business owner and mom, life still gets messy sometimes. There are still hard days. There are still moments where I’m answering emails at cheer practice or mentally organizing my schedule while making dinner. I don’t think the balancing act ever fully disappears. But building a life aligned with who you are matters.

My advice to other working moms is to not underestimate your ability to pivot when life throws something unexpected your way.

Also, always have a backup babysitter. Trust me on that.

Jenn Fasano is the founder of Babes in Business Long Island and a business consultant.