Parenting
The Struggles of Balancing Work and Motherhood
March 27, 2023
While being a working mother comes with its perks, it often brings a set of challenges that can feel overwhelming. There are the judgmental glances and comments from others who question your choice to work rather than solely focusing on your children. Returning to the office after maternity leave, you may experience sleep deprivation and the chaos of managing breast pumps and all the related gear that seems to multiply by the day. And let’s not forget about the guilt that sits heavy on your shoulders.
As your little ones grow from infants into toddlers, those early milestones become bittersweet moments you might miss. You may find yourself unable to attend a preschool event or a special Mother’s Day celebration. Balancing the demands of work with the responsibilities of motherhood can feel like walking a tightrope, and it’s often you who ends up feeling let down.
However, one gut-wrenching aspect of being a working mom is when your child falls ill. In those moments, they reach for you, needing your comfort, but you’re stuck at work while someone else tends to them. A babysitter, teacher, or family member is there to hold and soothe them, while you’re left anxiously checking your phone for any updates.
Yesterday, when I left for work, my heart felt heavier than ever. My youngest was running a high fever, and as our nanny took her from my arms, she cried out, wanting to come with me. It was heart-wrenching to see her so unwell and in need of her mother. She spent the entire day feeling miserable, wanting only to be held. As I prepared to leave, her tiny voice quivered as she asked, “Can I please come with you?”
In these painful instances, I often think about abandoning my career to be “just” a mom, even though I know that parenting is a demanding job in itself. I’ve tried it, and it’s not as straightforward as it seems. This feeling of helplessness is, for me, the hardest part of being a working mom, and it seems to intensify with each passing year.
Freelancing offers some flexibility; I can work from home more than if I had a standard 9-5 job and can schedule my work around school hours. But there are still those months when work demands come flooding in and the timing isn’t ideal. It is during those busy periods that our children seem to need us the most.
I’ve gained a newfound respect for the moms I once silently judged when I first entered the workforce. They would arrive late due to their sick children, and while I thought they were just disorganized, I now understand the battles they faced at home.
The concept of a working mother is almost paradoxical because no matter where we go, our children are always on our minds. Tomorrow, I’ll dive back into my career, but today I’ll cherish every moment I can spend with my little one.
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In summary, being a working mother involves navigating the tumultuous waters of career and family, often leading to feelings of guilt and anxiety, especially when your child is unwell. The struggle is real, but finding ways to balance the two worlds is crucial for both you and your children.
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