The ‘Done, Not Perfect’ Guide for Moms

Hi mamas - 

If you caught last week’s newsletter that arrived extra early, congrats—you got the limited edition, surprise drop. 😂  Back to regularly scheduled programming this week!

We were thinking about how some days, progress comes from playing the long game—showing up consistently, little by little, until the pieces add up. Other days, survival calls for the quick-and-dirty fix that gets you through dinner, bedtime, or tomorrow’s meeting. 💛

The truth is, motherhood and work don’t always wait for us to have the perfect system or the endless energy we wish we had. Sometimes the magic is in the small, steady steps that compound over time. And sometimes, it’s in giving ourselves permission to do what works right now, even if it’s messy, imperfect, or temporary.

For most of us, we lean into both to make it work. This week, you’ll find easy, do-it-today ideas that can help you reclaim a little breathing room, make daily life smoother, and remind you that you’re not doing this alone!

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 🍽️ Making Meals Easier (With a Little Help)

• ⏳ The Power of One Small Habit

• ✅ Say Yes to Shortcuts

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣ 🍽️ Making Meals Easier (With a Little Help)

We know—everyone has their feels about ChatGPT. But have you ever tried using it to lighten your meal load? Here are some samples of what you can ask it to do for you:

• “Plan a meal with these groceries I already have on hand…”

• “Give me a week of easy, family-friendly, high protein dinners.”

• “I need a quick meal idea - Less than 10 items I can grab on the way home and it can be ready in 30 minutes or less.”

It can cut the “what’s for dinner?” stress in half—and pair perfectly with a few other simple meal hacks:

• 🛒 Grocery pickup/delivery on repeat: Save your favorite cart once, then reorder weekly with a single click.

• 🍝  Theme nights: Taco Tuesday, Sheet Pan Wednesday, or Breakfast-for-Dinner Friday—fewer decisions, faster meals.

• 🍲 Double up dinners: Cook once, eat twice. Freeze half for a future crazy night.

Our team also has an amazing resource to help destress dinner time! Check it out HERE. Let us know in the comments what your best meal planning hack is as a working mom! 

2️⃣  ⏳ The Power of One Small Habit

When life feels overwhelming, it’s tempting to think change has to be big and sweeping. But often, it’s the small, consistent habits that actually move the needle the most.

Think of it as the “long game” approach. You don’t need to overhaul your whole routine—just pick one habit to commit to this week. Maybe it’s:

• Setting out clothes the night before (goodbye, morning chaos 👋)

• Prepping lunches ahead so mornings feel lighter

• Putting your phone down 30 minutes before bed for better rest 😴

Tiny habits may not feel like much in the moment, but over time they compound into major relief. Consistency beats intensity—and one intentional step at a time adds up to a smoother, saner season of working mom life.

3️⃣ ✅ Say Yes to Shortcuts

Reminder —there’s no prize for doing everything the hard way. We don’t hand out Mommy Martyr badges around here for doing things on our own, because we need a village and it’s OKAY TO TAKE THE SHORTCUT.  

• Think drive-through pharmacy instead of dragging tired kids inside.

• Paper plates on game nights so you can skip the sink pile.

• Store-bought snacks for the class party (because no one is handing out gold stars for homemade cupcakes at midnight).

Done is better than perfect. And often, “done” means you have a little more time and energy left for the things that actually matter—like showing up present with your people. So give yourself permission: what is one shortcut you can take this week?

📰 IN THE NEWS

Back-to-School Strategies Backed by Research

The new school year is here, and we know mornings (and afternoons!) can be hectic. Christine Carter’s Forbes article, “20 Research-Backed Back-To-School Strategies For Working Moms”, is packed with practical tips to make your routines smoother and less stressful.

One simple, research-backed tip? Use a shared family calendar or group chat so everyone knows the plan—fewer surprises, more sanity. From organizing school supplies to setting up predictable routines, these strategies are designed to help working moms reclaim a little time and peace this fall.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎

for working moms with older children

Feeling the back-to-school whirlwind too? 📚 For moms of older kids, it’s more than school supplies for us—it’s sports schedules, part-time jobs, and finding the balance between independence and connection.

Take a moment for yourself this week: a walk, a quiet pause during your commute, or even hiding in the bathroom with headphones on. 🎧 We won’t judge! 

Need a recommendation? Emily Ley and Kate Strickler dive into the realities of motherhood—the juggling act between work, life, and growing kids—and share insights to help you navigate it with a little more grace. 💛  Listen HERE!

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