After my son, Noah, was born, my company fired me, calling me “distracted.” My response built a community that redefined work for moms. I’d wake at dawn to Noah’s cries, rocking him while checking work messages, my tea untouched. I juggled parenting and my role as a content strategist, writing proposals during naps and muting calls to sing Noah to sleep. As a single mom, I pushed through exhaustion, determined to keep both my worlds steady.
Before Noah, I was a key player at my company. Over five years, I rose from clerk to creative lead, earning a writing certificate and revamping our blog during a slump. My boss, Dave, said, “You’re our secret weapon.” I loved the work and my team’s spirit. After maternity leave, I returned ready to shine, despite Noah’s sleepless nights. I worked early mornings and late evenings, hiding yawns behind a confident smile.
But the mood changed. A colleague noted, “You seem tired,” her tone skeptical. Dave demanded late hours for a project, ignoring my need for daycare notice. A 6 p.m. meeting conflicted with Noah’s pickup, and Dave dodged my rescheduling plea. Then my paycheck was delayed. I asked Dave, who said, “Your husband’s got you, right?” I clarified I was alone, but he shrugged. The disregard hurt, but I stayed silent for Noah’s sake.
One day, Dave and HR’s Susan met with me in a chilly office. Dave said, “We need someone without distractions.” I pressed, “You mean my son?” He didn’t answer. I left quietly, anger simmering. They saw my motherhood as a weakness, not my dedication. That night, with Noah asleep, I made a video. “I lost my job for being a mom,” I said, sharing my truth. It went viral, with millions of views and messages from moms who’d been there.
A comment—“Start a team, we’re in”—lit a fire. I launched Moms at Work, a freelance group for mothers. We worked during naptimes, with kids in tow, winning clients who valued us. Now, Moms at Work has 30 moms—writers, designers, strategists—changing the game. Noah’s two, choosing his own toys, and our mornings hum with hope. That loss freed me to create a world where moms thrive, proving our love is our power.
