Meghan Sussex’s (Meghan Markle’s) latest Netflix series paints a picture of serene domestic bliss. She gracefully picks herbs from a perfectly manicured garden, retrieves farm-fresh produce from an aesthetically pleasing fridge, and steps into a meticulously organised pantry—all while dressed in crisp white, with flawless makeup, and seemingly without a single ounce of stress.
But how authentic is this portrayal?
For many of us, the reality of juggling work, home, and family is far from this curated perfection. We burn out trying to do it all. I, for one, make balloon arches—but I also struggle with exhaustion because there’s no army of assistants smoothing out the chaos behind the scenes. The question is: is this series inspiring, or is it perpetuating an unrealistic standard that pressures mothers to believe they should be effortlessly managing everything, alone?
The Invisible Help: What We’re Not Shown
Let’s be honest—there is help. There has to be. From stylists and home organisers to chefs, childcare, and assistants, the seamless vision we see on screen is a production. And yet, the way it’s presented feels as though Meghan is embodying a lifestyle that should be attainable for any mother.
But is it?
For the average woman, maintaining a pristine home, preparing magazine-worthy meals, and looking effortlessly polished all while handling work and childcare is simply impossible—at least, not without extreme exhaustion. Most of us don’t have a team behind the scenes ensuring our laundry is magically folded, our fridge is perfectly stocked, and our schedules are carefully balanced to allow for moments of peace.
This isn’t about criticising Meghan personally—it’s about questioning the message. The more we see these glossy, edited versions of domestic life, the more the expectation grows that mothers should be able to “do it all” with ease.
The Expectation That Mothers “Just Handle It”
The unspoken assumption in many homes is that the mental load—the planning, the organising, the remembering—falls to the mother. We are expected to manage everything effortlessly, and when we struggle, the solution isn’t often to lighten the load, but to simply work harder.
If Meghan’s show depicted her openly acknowledging the help she has, or even discussing the burnout many mothers experience, it might feel more real. Instead, the aesthetic reinforces the idea that an smoothly balanced life is possible—if only you try hard enough. And if you’re struggling? Well, maybe you’re just not “doing it right.”
Mother’s Day Is Coming: Let’s Change the Conversation
With Mother’s Day around the corner, maybe it’s time we rethink what mothers truly need. Not another candle or a box of chocolates, but time. Time to breathe, to be cared for, to experience pleasure, to rest without guilt.
And, in our case, let’s talk about wellness and sexuality for mothers. Because too often, once the role of caregiver takes over, self-care—especially intimate self-care—gets pushed aside. Instead of expecting mothers to keep pouring from an empty cup, let’s shift the focus to refilling it.
So this Mother’s Day, let’s start thinking beyond surface-level gestures and look at what actually brings balance and joy back into a mother’s life. Whether that’s through rest, pleasure, or simply letting go of unrealistic expectations, the best gift we can offer is permission to stop trying to live up to an impossible standard.
Because the truth is, doing it all alone isn’t a flex—it’s a crisis. Let’s start acknowledging that.