The corporate clapback

& how to advocate for yourself at work as a single mama.

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Because your job title doesn’t even begin to cover what you do before 9AM.

Let’s be honest — most workplaces say they support parents… until a child gets sick, a daycare closes, or your Teams status says “BRB: meltdown.” Corporate culture was built around people with stay-at-home partners and full-time nannies, not single moms out here making Target runs on lunch breaks and taking conference calls with Bluey in the background (although we love Bingo more).

And yet, here you are. Showing up. Exceeding expectations. Giving 110% from a cup that’s barely half full.

But here’s the truth that no manager handbook will tell you:
Being a single mom doesn’t make you less of an asset — it makes you a damn powerhouse.

Let’s talk about how to advocate for yourself when the workplace still runs on outdated assumptions and unchecked bias. Because you’re not just trying to survive your job. You’re trying to thrive — without sacrificing your sanity or your kid’s well-being.

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1. Set Boundaries Like a Brick Wall With a Smile

You don’t need to shrink to be seen as a “team player.” Team players don’t work overtime every week while trying to coordinate child care. You’re allowed to say:
“I’m unavailable after 5pm due to parenting responsibilities — I’m happy to tackle this tomorrow morning.”
That’s not weakness. That’s strength, discipline, and prioritization. If they wanted 24/7 access, they should’ve hired a robot, not a mother with a toddler who refuses to nap.

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2. Speak on Your Work — Loud and Clear

You don’t have to be humble when people are out here taking credit for your follow-ups and fixes. Document your wins. Email them to yourself. Slide them into your reviews.
“Here are the outcomes I led this quarter — happy to dive deeper in our next 1:1.”
This isn’t bragging. This is visibility. The world doesn’t clap for mothers, so you might have to start clapping for your damn self.

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3. Ask For What You Actually Need

Flex time. Mental health days. Support with your workload. If you need it, ask for it — clearly and unapologetically. Saying “I’m doing my best” while drowning in stress is not noble, it’s how burnout brews. Instead, say:
“Here’s what would help me perform at my highest level while balancing parenting.”

Advocacy isn’t weakness. It’s strategy. You NEED work/home life balance.

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4. Don’t Downplay the Mom Skills

You know what being a single mom teaches you? Conflict resolution. Time management. Budget control. Emotional regulation under fire. That’s called leadership. You’re a walking masterclass in crisis management. Start framing your motherhood as an asset, not an obstacle.
“I bring multi-tasking, resourcefulness, and real-world resilience to the table — and it shows in my performance.”

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5. You Are the Culture Shift

You don’t have to wait for corporate to catch up. You are the representation. You are the shift. You are the woman showing up in rooms that weren’t designed for you and leaving the damn door open for the next one. Your voice matters. Your experience matters. The job doesn’t run without people like you — and it’s time they realize that.

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Final Clapback:

So the next time someone calls you “inspiring” in a tone that sounds more like pity than praise, you smile and say:

“It’s not inspiration. It’s strategy, stamina, and Starbucks.”
And if that doesn’t land, there’s always:
“I run a household solo and still showed up to this Zoom. What’s your excuse?” (if one more person at work tells me that they don’t have any “ME” time or need to take a mental health day, I’m going to lose it – what the fuck is me time?!)

Happy Friday!

xx JT