Can a Successful Working Woman be an Amazing Mother?

Working mothers have been a topic of debate for years. Women are often told that they can either be a good mom or have a successful career. Society believes that they cannot excel at both. Well, in my opinion, working women can be the best mothers. There is no secret about the fact that women are multitaskers and wear many hats. For generations, they’ve been known to juggle many roles. In fact, a lot of new mothers these days start their own businesses or become entrepreneurs. They are also referred to as “mompreneurs”.  Amidst the rising expenditures today in every household, both men and women strive hard to provide for their family. Therefore, if a working mother is able to find a healthy balance between managing the two, I see no problem.

Working and Motherhood

Gone are the days when the man of the house would be the sole breadwinner of the family. The trend today is all about sharing responsibilities – be it domestic or financial. Unfortunately, our society has glorified the sacrifices of women so much that it has almost ended up becoming a norm. Once a woman becomes a mother, she’s asked to give up her flourishing career and dreams. In case she decides to pursue it, she is called out all kinds of names and is considered self-centred.

Studies reveal that working mothers are great role models for their children. Their parenting style set their kids up for success. Here’s how:

• The children are better adjusted

When a child is born, they refuse to leave their mother. They are stuck to them all the time. Though every new mother gets maternity leave, within a few months they do get back to work. During this phase, the child learns to adjust with other people around them. Whether they’re left with their nannies or grandparents, they slowly familiarise themselves with new faces. This helps build their social skills.

• Children become more independent

Children of working mothers turn out to be more independent than those of stay-at-home moms. In the mother’s absence the child learns several things they wouldn’t have learned otherwise. This improves their skills of self-sufficiency. When they notice that both their parents are working, they try to do things on their own so that the day-to-day functioning is smooth. This helps immensely in the overall development of the child.

• The bond between a mother and child improves

Though most people are of the opinion that only when a mother spends ample time with her child, the bond increases, the truth is that ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’. When a mother is away from her child, she feels a strong sense of affection towards her little one. She waits to get back home after a gap of several hours only to see what her child’s reaction will be upon seeing her.

How can Working Mothers find a Balance?

Firstly, I feel like the term “working mother” is a misnomer. Even if a mother does not go to the office, she is still working round the clock. Finding a balance between managing the household and the kids isn’t the easiest job in the world.

If you’re a new mother who is looking to cultivate a balance between managing your child and work life, we have some tips that can help you:

• Focus on time management

As a mother it’s natural to feel guilty when you’re unable to give your child enough time. Well, with proper time management practices, you can ensure you spend enough time with everyone in the family. Chalk out a calendar and mention all the activities you do in a day. You can even keep a track of how you spend your time in the week or month. In order to give your child enough time, integrate small-time saving habits. Plan ahead so that they too do not feel neglected. For example, if they feel like having their favourite food at school the next day, prepare it the night before. When you get back from work ensure you spend enough time with them. This will make them feel important and also ensure they don’t face any kind of mental health issues in the long-run. Another thing working moms can do is to meal prep.

• Practice self-care

Quite often, working mothers get too overwhelmed as they have the desire to “do it all”. At this point, they feel like they lack control in their lives and even tend to face parental burnout. The best way to prevent this feeling from taking over your life is practicing self-care. No matter which stage you’re at in life, taking care of your physical and mental health is of utmost importance. Between your hectic work life and mom duties, make sure you meet your friends and pursue your hobbies. If you can involve your child in certain activities, it’s even better.  

• Prioritise your spouse

A lot of women put their kids before their spouse. Remember, your first calling is to be a wife, then a mom. In the quest of giving your kids everything, it’s easy to drift away from your spouse. Even if you’re not doing it intentionally, circumstances may lead to this. When you feel like you’re too busy, you have to make time for your spouse. You both are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Being a working mom is all about balancing every aspect of your life.

• Seek help

You may want to be a role model for your kids and do everything on your own. Don’t feel guilty if you have to get help anytime. Don’t think about what anyone will say. You’re also human at the end of the day. Whether it’s a certain family member helping you or a particular childcare facility, seeking help is a good thing. It makes your busy life a lot simpler. Delegate and share your work and you will definitely feel more in control of your life. If you don’t have time to do the groceries, order them online, or if you need to go on a work offsite, hire a babysitter if it fits your budget. In today’s technologically-advanced era, there are multiple ways to do everything.

Takeaway

Even if you’re a working woman, you can be an amazing mother. There is no rulebook which says that a woman can’t manage her career and kids. If society thinks so, it’s time to prove all the naysayers wrong. While there is no right or wrong choice, it’s always better for every woman to make her decision based on her circumstances and the kind of family she comes from.