Challenges of a Working Woman's Stressful Life and Motherhood

Motherhood is a profoundly meaningful and fulfilling experience, filled with moments of precious bliss and joy. However, it's not without its challenges and it can take a toll on women's mental health especially if a woman is working.

It seems to be common knowledge that women are generally busier and more stressed than men and that they juggle more roles and are constantly rushing towards goal fulfilment and trying to strike a perfect balance between their work and personal life.  But Multitasking can add stress, causing an ill impact on women's mental well-being. This article delves into the complexities mothers face in balancing their roles at home and in the workplace. 

Challenges of a Working Woman's Stressful Life and Motherhood

• Multiple roles 

While working parallel to men at the workplace, working women also play multiple roles such as child rears, parents, teachers, caretakers of their elderly parents, and many more, which become very strenuous for them. It is the added responsibility and burden of chores that add to daily hassles or stress for them, especially working women with young children, which definitely affects their psychological well-being. Multitasking can add stress

Potential Resolutions: Working mothers should get more flexible working hours, a hybrid form of work, parental leave, workplace facilities for unwell children, and more understanding from employers.

• Unequal Treatment at the Workplace

Mothers are overlooked for promotions or career development opportunities due to perceptions that they may not have the availability or flexibility required for more demanding roles. They might be seen as less dedicated, even if they are highly productive during their designated work hours. Co-workers or superiors sometimes pass comments suggesting that a mother's priorities are skewed if she needs to leave work promptly to attend to her child's needs or attend school events.

Potential Resolutions: Open communication and empathy from colleagues and supervisors can also go a long way in helping a mother feel more comfortable and supported during this transition.

• Unequal Division of Household Tasks

Despite advancements in women's participation in the workforce, a significant disparity persists when it comes to sharing household responsibilities. This means that the majority of working mothers are also

responsible for housework and looking after their children. Even when both parents are working, the responsibility of caring for sick children usually falls on the mother. This imbalance contributes to heightened stress levels among married female workers. 

Potential Resolutions: A working couple share equally in the care of their children, regardless of which parent brings in more money. If the partners make a schedule to spend time with the child in the absence of another will reduce the stress of working mothers, improving her mental well-being.

• No Good Quality Child Care Available

Most of the time working mothers feel hopeless when they face any dilemma related to childcare arrangements. Either there are shortages of good quality child care centres or they are too expensive. Even employers don't provide facilities for creches at the workplace. Even when both parents are working, the responsibility of caring for sick children usually falls on the mother. Some Mothers had to quit their jobs because of not have proper childcare facilities at work or nearby. 

Potential Resolutions: Proper childcare facilities should be arranged at offices or workplaces where mothers can visit 3-4 times a day to feed and comfort their children in case of any emergencies. Alternatively, the government should focus on establishing proper childcare units with reasonable fees.

• The Mentalities and Ideals of Orthodox Families and In-laws-

The mentalities and ideas that are passed down from generation to generation are that the woman is the caretaker of the home and children whereas the man is the breadwinner.  That's why so many households now view the working mother not as an exception but as the norm.

Potential Resolutions: Working mothers' support systems, which include paid help, families, and partners, should understand, support, and respect their decision to be independent and secure for the future, and that this independence, confidence, and security will only benefit the family, children, and society to which they belong.

• Mom's Guilt:

Mom guilt refers to the feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety experienced by mothers. It can manifest in various ways, such as feeling guilty for taking time for oneself, for not meeting idealized standards of motherhood, or for making choices that prioritize career aspirations and work.  Around 1 in 10, working mothers feel guilty about their childcare arrangements. Especially when a child falls sick, she is the one who feels guilty.

Potential Resolutions: Dilemmas of working mothers are always there and there will be, unless or until the working mothers build self-confidence in their minds that they can overcome any hurdle for their career and child care. Focus on the quality of time you spend with your child instead of the quantity of time. When spending time with the child, make it digital-free. 

Supportive work environment, Partners, family members, and the broader society play pivotal roles in supporting and facilitating the success of working mothers.

LOVE AND SUPPORT ALWAYS..!!