Jury Duty as a Mom: Balancing Civic Duty and Self-Care

Fresh off the high of celebrating my daughter’s 6th birthday, life quickly reminded me that balance is everything.

jury duty voter

A couple weeks ago I received that ‘Time Sensitive Material’ letter in the mail. I had been summoned for jury duty. Not immediately, but on call for two weeks—starting this past Friday. Every day after 3 PM, I must call and check if I’m needed, or if I’m free to go about my regularly scheduled program.

On top of that, my county (and the state at large) is holding a joint and special election. Honestly, if it weren’t for my aunt working at the county election headquarters, I might not have even known. I don’t watch much TV and there hasn’t been much noise about it – at least I haven’t heard it. Is that by design to keep us away from the polls? Or is it on me to stay more informed? Probably a little of both.

Either way, I made the time earlier this week to early vote. There are important school bonds on the ballot—and with two young children just entering the school system, it matters. (If you’re local and reading this, Election Day is Saturday, May 3rd, from 7 AM to 7 PM.)

When it comes to civic duty – whether it’s jury service or voting – I know it’s not always convenient. But as a Black woman, I carry the memory of those who fought for me to have a voice in spaces I was once excluded from. So even when it feels like a hassle, I try my best to show up. With gratitude. With awareness. And with my peace intact.

That said, I know jury duty can still feel like a logistical headache: rearranging schedules, missing work, battling downtown parking, and braving rush hour traffic.

The last time I was summoned, about 10-15 years ago, I spent almost a full day at the courthouse before being dismissed.

This time, I have two kids in school. Therefore, I’ve had to make sure family members are on standby to cover pickups and drop-offs – just in case. Luckily, as of today, I’m still just on call. But I know staying ready will be key. “If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready!”

There’s also the emotional side of jury duty. I’m praying I will not be selected for a traumatic case involving children or a sensitive topic. Protecting my own healing journey means staying mindful of what I take in.

Here are a few self-care strategies I’m leaning on during this season.

jury duty bag

Jury Duty Survival Tips for Moms:

Pack a “Waiting Bag”: Snacks, water, Sudoku puzzles, a lightweight laptop – whatever keeps you calm.
Stay Connected: Inform family or babysitters that you might need quick backup for school pickups.
Comfort is Key: Wear layers and comfy shoes. Courthouses are notoriously cold and unpredictable.
Protect Your Energy: Use downtime for deep breathing, meditation, prayer, or reading something uplifting.
Let Go of Control: The system moves slowly. You only control how you show up – not the process itself.

Civic responsibility, motherhood, and self-care can coexist – even when life feels unpredictable. I’m choosing to move through it all with groundedness, gratitude, and grace.

BTW: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou

I’d love to hear: Have you ever been called for jury duty while juggling family life? Or found yourself catching up on local elections at the last minute? Let’s talk about it in the comments below!