Ever feel like you’re the only parent who missed the sign-up sheet... again? Or maybe you showed up with store-bought cookies and a deep sense of shame because Kara made gluten-free galaxy cupcakes with homemade fondant planets?

Welcome to the battlefield of PTA guilt and working mom burnout—where expectations are sky-high, time is scarce, and your worth gets measured by how many spirit week themes you remembered.

In today’s episode of Exhausted Sparrows Unite, we’re pulling back the curtain on the emotional tug-of-war so many moms feel: wanting to be involved but also wanting to hide in your car with fries and silence. Spoiler: you’re not alone.

Topics We’re Tackling:

The Performance Olympics of Modern Motherhood
- How we equate “showing up” with “showing off”
- Why every bake sale, field day, and committee meeting can feel like a referendum on your parenting

Working Moms vs. Volunteer Culture
- Let’s talk about the built-in privilege of “being available” during school hours
- Why no one wins when we shame each other for doing too much or too little

Redefining Participation Without Losing Your Sanity
- How to set boundaries, manage the guilt, and get involved your way
- Permission slip: "Being a good mom does not require being on every committee."

Key Takeaways:

• Guilt thrives in silence. Say it out loud: You’re allowed to have limits.
• The Pinterest-perfect moms? Often just as overwhelmed.
• “Opting out” doesn’t mean you don’t care—it means you’re managing your bandwidth.
• Being present for your kids starts with not being stretched so thin you disappear.