{"id":1287,"date":"2023-03-05T14:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T14:27:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-12-12T12:22:23","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T04:22:23","slug":"balancing-two-roles-career-woman-and-mother","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/balancing-two-roles-career-woman-and-mother\/","title":{"rendered":"Balancing Two Roles: Career Woman and Mother"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the many issues most working women face is balancing being a mom and fulfilling parenting obligations while also fulfilling work obligations. Whether you\u2019re working inside or outside the home and doing full-time, part-time, or flexi-time hours, the struggle to achieve work-life balance is tricky when you\u2019re a mom. This balancing act is especially challenging if you don\u2019t have enough family support or don\u2019t have the luxury of hiring help. The \u2018guilty mom syndrome\u2019 is real for working mothers, because the time spent at work will always equate to time away from the children. Therefore, there\u2019s a tendency to feel as if you\u2019re not doing enough for your kids when you\u2019re balancing being a mom with being a career woman.<\/p>\n

International Women\u2019s Month is all about empowering women, and that includes career women who want to do it all: be a great mom and excel in their careers.<\/p>\n

The stay-at-home mom is becoming a figure of the past. In today\u2019s society, inflation rates are so high, that many families rely on dual incomes. This means more mothers are entering the workforce. In the US alone, 69.1%<\/a> of families with kids under 18 years old have a working mother. However, being committed to work and family is a precarious situation for working moms who must balance parenthood and their profession. This could lead to stress and exhaustion, since moms have to divide their time, energy, and attention between numerous responsibilities. <\/p>\n

Although balancing being a mom while working can be a complex juggling act that entails making many personal sacrifices, it is not impossible to achieve a system that works for your family. Of course, this comes with accepting that there will be good days and bad days. Take comfort in knowing that millions of working moms worldwide grapple with the same challenges. <\/p>\n

No matter how difficult things get, ever-resilient mothers handle challenges with determination, because giving up is not an option when tiny humans rely on you. Pursuing a fulfilling career while being proactive as a mother is doable with a setup that complements your family dynamics.<\/p>\n

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Crush the Guilt to Succeed in Balancing Being a Mom and Career Woman<\/h3>\n

Once you have kids, life as you know it will never be the same. You will inevitably think about your kids and feel responsible for another human being. And for this reason, moms face immense pressure from the moment of conception. Working moms also face the stigma of abandoning their kids, especially if they have full-time work away from home. <\/p>\n

And let\u2019s face it, even in this progressive world, stereotypes persist<\/a>. Many cultures still have these outdated gender scripts where fathers are expected to work as providers while mothers are expected to nurture children. However, the reality is, many women cannot afford to stay at home. <\/p>\n

Let\u2019s not forget that many women make more money than men now, which means there are some stay-at-home dads out there and many female breadwinners.<\/p>\n

Moreover, mothers who fought to establish their careers may also opt to go back to work while balancing being a mom to their littles. Whatever your reason for working, do not let anyone make you feel ashamed of your choice. Let go of the mommy guilt, because you\u2019re doing the best you can for your family. <\/p>\n

Rather than dwelling on how you\u2019re missing out on time with kids, think about how your work benefits the family. The income may help pay for daily necessities and provide other opportunities, like extra classes for the kids or money for memorable vacations. Celebrate the small wins every day. Be confident that you\u2019re making the best choices for the people you love, including yourself. You can be efficient in both your work and mommy roles by staying organized and accepting things will not always be perfect.<\/p>\n

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Define What Balancing Being a Mom Means For You<\/h3>\n

If you want to do your best to ensure both your career and family flourish, you have to define what is acceptable for you. Balancing being a mom with work is relative to your job role, your family\u2019s unique needs, level of support, and goals. Hence, balance can mean different things to different people, so avoid comparison. Some moms may find balance in working part-time jobs, so they can get out of the house, interact with adults, and earn income while being there for their children. Meanwhile, other moms could sacrifice their rest and work from home<\/a> while their kids are sleeping. <\/p>\n

As for other mothers, they may have to work full-time in a demanding job. This could mean not being there for after-school pick-up or missing out on some children\u2019s activities. And this situation doesn\u2019t make them bad moms either because they\u2019re trying to make ends meet for their families. Thus, the right balancing equation for what will make everyone in your family happy will be different. Moreover, as your children grow or dynamics in your family change due to job loss or illness, you may need to redefine your concept of balance. <\/p>\n

It is also crucial to keep in mind that aiming for a constant state of equilibrium may be unrealistic because life\u2019s surprises make that impossible. To illustrate, if your baby falls ill, you may need to call out from work and be 100% mommy. In the same token, if you have a work deadline, you may have to ask your spouse to step up to accomplish it. What\u2019s important is to communicate and be honest with our partner about your needs so you can be there for each other.<\/p>\n

Find a Childcare Provider You Trust<\/h3>\n

To succeed in balancing being a mom and a working woman, finding reliable childcare is crucial. Knowing that someone trustworthy is watching your child will give you peace of mind while you\u2019re at work or if you wish to go on a date night with your spouse. This could mean asking relatives like grandparents for help, finding a good daycare, or paying for a nanny to come and watch your children. <\/p>\n

Create a list of criteria and non-negotiables, then find time to tour daycare centers or interview childcare providers. A good daycare is clean and spacious with an updated operating license. The facility must have a low teacher-to-child ratio with employees that have been fully vetted with a background check. Similarly, nannies must come with references and extensive experience. If you\u2019re considering these options for your kids, it may be a good idea to do a paid playdate with the nanny or a trial visit to the daycare to see if it’s a good fit.<\/p>\n

Communicate and Set Boundaries with Your Employer<\/h3>\n

Statistics indicate 41% of workers<\/a> believe that moms are less devoted to their work compared to non-working counterparts because moms need more flexible work schedules to accommodate their parenting obligations. However, this is a misconception, because commitment to work is not defined by motherhood, but rests on the character and motivation of the individual while they\u2019re at work. Every working mom must tackle this stigma head-on by communicating their thoughts to their leaders and showing them that working mothers have additional strengths. Studies attest<\/a> that motherhood is a good training ground for leadership positions. The role teaches you how to empower tiny humans while remaining empathetic. <\/p>\n

If you have a boss or manager, it is critical to keep communication lines open and set boundaries to leave yourself room to balance being a mom with being a career woman. Assure them that being a mom will not interfere with your work, and show them you\u2019re capable of doing your job well even if you have kids. Being a working mom doesn\u2019t make you less productive either, nor do you use your children as excuses for slacking off. However, own up to the fact that changes may take place, especially if you have a new baby. If a child gets sick or there are school activities, you need to be there for the kids too. Always give your managers a heads up if there are changes in your schedule. Chances are they will be empathetic because there are other working moms in the team. Most employers also appreciate transparency, and many admire a mother\u2019s dedication to both her family and job.<\/p>\n

Master the Art of Time Saving<\/h3>\n

Time is finite, and it is such a precious \u201ccommodity\u201d when you\u2019re a working mom. Finding time for your priorities is one of the biggest challenges to surmount in the drive to balancing being a mom and a working woman. In fact, research shows<\/a> that most working moms feel rushed as they struggle to take control of schedules and responsibilities. But you don\u2019t have to feel like a trainwreck all the time. <\/p>\n

Avoid feeling stressed out with the lack of time by planning strategically, simplifying how you do things, and creating shortcuts. Try the following hacks in a bid to save time and effort: <\/p>\n