If you ever reheated your coffee three times before noon, brokered a peace treaty over the last candy bar, or wondered if the laundry pile is secretly multiplying, then you’re in good company.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with three powerhouse women, Jasmine, Mo, and Syi, who are living their best life and mastering the fine art of balancing parenting, careers, and chaos. Between the stories, chuckles, side-eye humor and knowing nods, it was obvious, the struggle of the juggle is real.

We kicked things off swapping stories about routines. You know, those mythical schedules that look great on paper but often get hijacked before breakfast. By Friday, every mom is chanting the same exhausted mantra: “What a week!” And as for the fairy tale idea commonly referred to as Work-Life Balance…PUHLEEZE! The phrase Work-Life Balance is the Bigfoot of corporate America; some say it exists, but seriously has anyone ever really experienced it?

Sye:

My mother’s military mindset about routines shaped my childhood. Bedtime was strict. 7:30 every night, even on weekends. Discipline became my anchor, a skill I have needed more than I could have imagined when I became guardian to seventeen siblings after her mother’s unexpected passing. Talk about daunting, but I made it. Today only four kids remain at home, the rest have graduated into adulthood. I still run a tight ship, and I always have a backup plan (or three) for when life decides to go off script.

MO:

You can’t be everything to everyone all the time. Trust me, I’ve tried. The best you can hope for is that everyone doesn’t need something at the exact same moment.

Jasmine:

Life is busy! Girl, let’s face it, you know what needs to be done, but finding the energy? That’s a whole other episode. Juggling it all takes serious commitment. Just when you think you’ve got your act together, life tosses in a plot twist; like discovering at 6:30 at night your kid needs a poster board for a project due tomorrow. That will derail your so-called routine every time.

The table erupted in laughter. Why, because if motherhood had a theme song, it would be “Expect the Unexpected.” Just when you begin to think you might finally have a handle on things, you hear the kids fighting over which show to watch, who ate the last cookie or the dog barking at nothing yet again. Meanwhile, you’re left wondering whether pajama pants can pass as real clothes for a quick grocery run. We’ve all been there.

Coffee cups in hand, sip, laugh, repeat. We shared an unspoken bond of juggling survival. Behind every chaotic moment was a story of forgotten homework, discovering a late notice from a bill that was under the stack of unopened mail, or just the daily tightrope walks between work and home

Mo:

I have managed to master the art of juggling. It is so important to be 100% present, both at home and at work. You can’t split the difference. It's important to learn to forgive yourself. Positive self-talk isn't just a buzzword; it is part of your survival tool kit. Sometimes you just have to stop, take a deep breath, and give yourself a pep talk in the car. Nobody gets it perfect all the time. I learned I'm not alone and we’re all just doing our best, one day, one minute and sometimes, one micro-second at a time.

Jasmine:

If I had to offer just one piece of advice, I would say don’t beat yourself up! I have to constantly remind myself that I'm not supermom, and that I'm just as human as my kids, although I sure wish I had their energy. Let’s face it, there are very few things you can truly control, but self-care? That you can control, but you have to make it a priority. After getting everyone out the door for school, I leave for work. Some days, I just have to sit in my car in the parking lot for five minutes to say a prayer and recharge before going inside.

Syi:

I agree with Jasmine, self-talk is my pep talk. I have so much on my plate that it is important for me to set boundaries at home and at work. When I'm feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I have learned that it's okay to admit that I need to stop and take a minute. Even if it means hiding in the bathroom for a quick breather.

Without saying a word, we looked at each other, grinned and yes, sip, laugh, repeat. Our silent acknowledgement was confirmation that at some point, we had each sought refuge in the bathroom, the car or even a closet at one time or another. Honestly, someone should invent a sign that reads, “Mom’s Panic Room” to hang outside whichever spot is serving as a temporary escape.

Our conversation bounced from topic to topic like a lively game of verbal ping pong. At this point, our poor waiter had given up on coffee cup refills and simply dropped off two carafes for the four of us. (Don’t judge. When in the zone, caffeine is a team sport). Inevitably, the mayhem of paychecks, playdates and piles of laundry led us to the subject of money, or rather, the lack of it. You could feel the mood shift. Things got very real, very fast. Laughter teetered on the edge of nervousness and bad memories, but still there was comfort in knowing we had all been there.

Mo:

I'm going to be very transparent here about the balance of giving her kids what they want versus what they need. It's a dance of sorts to keep the family afloat. It wasn't that long ago we were facing eviction. I had to move our belongings into storage, and we had to temporarily live in an Airbnb. Through it all, I found hope in my kids’ laughter of all things. As bad as it seemed to me, I was so surprised that the kids barely noticed the struggles. You know, kids are resilient. They can somehow find laughter when adults can’t even find their smile. It was in their hope and laughter that I found the strength to know we would come through this and we did!

Jasmine:

I recently had to make the decision to move out of my house, and into an apartment, a choice driven by financial reasons. It was one of the toughest decisions of my life. Telling her kids was hard, but once the apartment lease was signed, a huge sense of relief washed over me. I realized I had spent far too much valuable time worrying and striving to make everything perfect, and in the end, it just wasn’t worth the stress.

Syi:

I have learned to be creative when life throws me curveballs. Growing up, I had to adjust quickly when money got tight. Routines and backup plans became lifelines. All that mattered was keeping my family together and making sure the kids felt safe. Sure there were times I was uncertain; well, most of the time to be honest, but when you’re out of options, you’re out of choices. You just have to keep going! And I did!

After trading confessions of budgets being stretched way too tight, we discovered that creative financing was yet another common thread we shared. If there were an Olympic Sport for making a dollar do gymnastics, we would all be on the podium wearing thrift store medals.

Faith naturally followed the lack of funds conversation, weaving its way into the heart of our discussion. Though Jasmine, Mo and Syi each came from very different backgrounds, they all agreed that faith was far more than a belief system, it had become their source of strength, comfort, and resilience. Through laughter, tears, and whispered prayers late at night, faith helped each of them find hope in hard times and reminded them they were never truly alone.

Jasmine:

I would like to think that my spiritual gift is being a minister of the Gospel. I love to uplift and encourage everyone around me. My go-to scripture is Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This verse helps remind me that hope and trust will carry me through even the most uncertain times.

Syi

I like to think my spiritual gift is a servant's heart. I grew up in spiritual home. I always loved helping others and still do. I still remember riding with my grandpa as he delivered ‘Meals on Wheels’. As kids, we were always volunteering for something. It was a rude awakening when everything happened, and I had to be the one asking for help. I worked two jobs, cut corners and managed to provide for my family. I learned that asking for help isn’t weakness, it’s just part of the journey.

Mo:

You probably won’t believe this, but I am actually an ordained minister. I went to a non-denominational college. I had no way of knowing, back in 2009, how my life would turn out. However, because of that college, its' diversity and the foundation that was built, I have relied on that training more times than I can count. My faith is the rock I cling to in the toughest moments. My faith has helped me persevere even when the future is unclear.

For a moment, the dialogue felt like we were experiencing a bona fide revival. Faith wasn’t just a Sunday ritual or a church attendance checkmark. It was the unmistakable ingredient that kept these ladies moving forward. Faith was believing and trusting things will work out, even when you’re not sure how.

Sip, laugh, repeat. “Mom Guilt”, the one accessory every mom seems to wear. “Mom Guilt” sneaks in when you miss a ball game for work, serve cereal for dinner (again), or just crave a moment alone.

Jasmine:

I had to cancel my subscription to “Mom Guilt”. Back when I subscribed to “Mom Guilt”, I would feel guilty about correcting my children. Again, my faith helped me understand that correction isn’t rejection. Today, I make sure my kids know correction comes from love, not disappointment. As a child of God, my “daddy” is already pleased with me. I want to mirror that example. I do not want my children to feel like they have to check some type of “Mommy box” for me to be proud of them. I may have to correct or discipline, but there is nothing they can do that can make me any prouder of them, just like my Heavenly Father is pleased with me.

Syi:

I believe my role is to love, guide, and discipline. I try to lead by example. Over the years, I've learned to make time for myself and appreciate my human side. Guilt would hit me hardest when it came to finances. I had to learn to say no, because we just didn’t have it. The kids needed to learn that you have to work for what you want. I had to teach them about critical thinking and how to figure out what’s worth it and what’s not. Guardians, like parents make mistakes, and you know what, that’s okay. The key is not to dwell on it.

Mo:

I try to go home each day with a ready attitude. I draw a clear line between “Work Mo” and “Home Mom” because mixing the two worlds leads to frustration and just turbocharges “Mom Guilt.” If I’m still in work mode at home, I miss out on those little moments with my kids, moments I can never get back. On the flip side, if I bring home MO to the office, my work suffers and that could have very real, negative repercussions.

We concluded that while “Mom Guilt” was real, we were all canceling our subscriptions, effective today! We choose grace, self-forgiveness and maybe an extra cookie (or five) when the kids aren’t looking. At the end of the day, perfect moms don’t exist, but real moms know how to laugh, love, and find that hidden stash of chocolate when necessary.

A close cousin to “Mom Guilt” would be to have access to a “do-over” button! When I asked the panel what they’d change if they could rewind this week, the answers surprised me.

Syi:

I really wouldn’t change a thing. Monday was my scheduled day off, okay, that's my attempt at humor. Seriously though I started my week with coffee and a good mindset. This time has set me up for the week. In general, most of the time, I try not to look back.

Mo:

Ha, I wouldn’t change anything either. The kids spent the week with their dad. It was definitely a much-needed break. I was able to get some rest and take time for me. Granted that was this week, ordinarily, by mid-week, I’m a mess. However, I’m learning to look for the positives rather than wishing to go back in time.

Jasmine:

My take may sound a little different. Thinking back on my week, I wish I had invested more time in my kids, God, and my new business. I could’ve gotten out my laptop, or wrote down some notes, but I just didn’t. For me, I need to try and stay focused. I take it day by day and I know every step forward is still progress, whether baby steps or leaps of faith.

While a do-over now and again sounds really good, we know there is no rewind feature. Therefore, it’s best to roll with the bloopers and hope to find a little humor in the improvisation. Bottom line, you have to pick yourself up when you fall, adjust your crown and smile because you know you’ve got this.

Well, that’s a wrap for this first edition of Coffee, Laughs, and Chats - Hot Mess Express-Paychecks, Playdates and the Never-Ending Pile of Laundry.

For three hours, the world outside didn’t matter. Sitting at that corner table, under dim lights, we drained the last few drops of coffee from the two carafes. As our chat came to a close, it was clear that while the details of our stories differ, we share the ability to adapt, improvise, and keep going. It’s never about circumstances, it’s about the determination to make it work, regardless of what life stacks on top of us.

As a group, we resolved to stress less about "stuff". We left feeling uplifted, calm and thankful to have had a moment or two to just breathe, be ourselves, vent our frustrations, and laugh at the absurdity of it all. Together we were just moms managing life, dodging the unexpected and realizing we had the ability to turn disasters into comedic gold. (In hindsight anyway.)

Meet Our Panelists

Meet Jasmine Coit:

Mom of two, lover of Jesus, and passionate builder of people. Founder of LIT University, LLC (Live In Training University). My passion and expertise for developing leaders and promoting holistic wellness is amplified.

LIT was created for everyday leaders, the people who make a positive difference daily, both in public and in private. LIT specializes in crafting customized tools, strategies, and experiences that empower everyday leaders to serve, live, and lead well, without losing themselves in the process. We strongly believe that when everyday leaders thrive, we build better workplaces, stronger families, and thriving communities for generations to come.

Meet Mo Beal:

Founder and CEO of MB Brand Development, LLC. We transform businesses into authentic human ecosystems through sensory branding. With 14+ years of telecommunications leadership at T-Mobile and Sprint, plus a background in fine arts, Mo brings a unique blend of business strategy and creative intuition to every brand she touches.

Mo is a proud mom to Haley and Remington. Her work is deeply personal. She is driven by her commitment to authenticity and her lived experience with C-PTSD which defines her accessible approach to design. Specializing in sensory branding, she engages all five senses to create unforgettable brand experiences.

Mo is passionate about helping businesses discover their authentic voice and build lasting connections.

When she's not transforming brands, you'll find her being a pitbull mom, exploring culinary adventures, and nurturing her plant collection.

Syi:

She is an Indiana native and the eldest of seventeen siblings. She grew up in a diverse and resilient household, spending her early years with her single mother and later, moving in with her grandparents who instilled her strong work ethic and sense of order. Emancipated at seventeen, Syi lived independently while finishing high school.

The loss of her mother fourteen years ago motivated Syi to support her family through perseverance and faith.

Community service has always been central to her life, from volunteering at soup kitchens and food banks to participating in Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. Raised in the church and active in outreach, she is dedicated to helping others.

Today, Syi thrives as a saleswoman for a leading cell phone company and is determined to advance in the corporate world. She believes true leadership is measured by empowering others. Despite life’s challenges, she credits her faith and family values for her resilience and is grateful for the experiences that have shaped her.

I want to extend a huge thank you to our panelists, Jasmine, Mo and Syi for taking time out of their busy schedules to share their stories. And I would like to thank YOU for following Coffee, Laughs and Chats. Until next time...Sip, Laugh, Repeat - Cheers.

Paychecks, Playdates and the Never-Ending Pile of Laundry

Meet Our Panelists

Add comment

Comments