How Motherhood Impacts a Woman's Career

Working mothers enjoy many rewards as well as challenges.

In recent decades, more women have chosen career paths that take them away from their homes. Financial needs and passion for the job are top reasons women choose to join the workforce. Some women simply want something to do, or to make a meaningful contribution to their lives. With technology advancements, many women are now able to work from home if they so desire. Artists, photographers, consultants, writers, therapists, and coaches are just some careers that lend to working from home. Single or partnered, the biggest obstacle working mothers face is how to balance the job demands with a happy home.

Choices

Choosing where to spend the bulk of one's day can be difficult for mothers.

When a working woman becomes pregnant, she will be faced with the decision to keep her job or find an alternative. Her choices become crucial to the outcomes of both her and her child's well-being. Some companies offer maternity leave, but few offer enough time for women to get their newborns off to a good start. Women in top jobs with multiple demands could find themselves in a quandary about how to keep up their performance records with a baby coming.

Newborns

When not working, mothers can share special moments with their children.

Having an infant at home requires the mother's constant presence, or making arrangements with her husband, a family member, a nanny, or other child-care provider so the child's every need is met as mother would hope. Parents must take great care in selecting who will take care of the baby if one or both parents work. For single mothers, this can present major concerns. While it's ideal that mothers spend the baby's first year at home, not all women have that luxury.

School Years

Women who have to work to make ends meet may deeply miss their children.

From the time toddlers attend pre-school until high school graduation, numerous concerns arise that provide parents with frenzied hours as well as proud elation. Medications, homework, friends, physical growth, substance experimentation, sexuality, injuries, behavior problems, recitals, sporting events, carpooling, and online supervision are just some of the long list of incidents that may require a mother's presence. Having mom on hand during critical points of a child's life is ideal, but sometimes life changes or work demands make that impossible. Learning to deal with all that is key for career moms.

Problems

Sick or depressed children are important alerts for the working parent.

Aside from day-to-day handling of all things mothers tend to, the care of children can be manageable, especially with the help of another parent or family member. But whenever the mother is unable to be there in a consistent manner for her children, deeper problems could present. Depression, acting out, shutting down, exaggerated fears, a problematic nanny, a long illness and worse issues can have mom racing home from the office uncertain of how to keep things in sensible perspective. The mother may also encounter her own problems: burnout, guilt, worries, divorce, and esteem issues brought on by peer pressure. The Family and Medical Leave Act of January 2008 has some provisions that cover these kinds of things; however, they do not apply across the board and deserve special consideration.

Balancing

Career moms can create harmony in their lives.

Clear communication on every front--business and home--is vital to a happy home front. Balancing involves juggling business meetings with hockey practice, as much as birthday parties and how to budget for growing kids. With more fathers or mates currently opting to stay home and care for the children, some of the pressures are relieved for a mother. Part-time work could alleviate some concerns, as could sharing a job with another mother. Alternating schedules can ease time constraints. Working for companies that honor family also helps keep things in balance. Mothers working from home can maintain their own schedules and make appointments around children's nap times, doctor appointments, meals or special events. Balancing work and family life can be done, with thoughtful anticipation, mutual respect, and by making choices which support everyone involved, leaving no one feeling neglected.

References

• Mothering Magazine
• Working Mother: 100 Best Companies to Work For - 2009
• U. S. Dept of Labor: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Resources

• Homeschool World: Mother Culture
• Encyclopedia of Children's Health: Working Mothers
• New York Times: When Mom and Dad Share It All
• Workit Mom: An Extraordinary Entrepreneur Mom