Who watches your kids when you go on a business trip? How do you balance work and family? Why not quit? These are just some of the questions working moms are tired of answering.
Despite living in the modern times, most people still believe that women are supposed to stay at home and take care of the kids. Men, on the other hand, are expected to work and support their family. They believe that children are better off when mothers look after their children. However, majority of American moms work. Therein lies the paradox of our time.
Guilt plagues working moms everywhere. They hate it when they miss their child’s recital because of a business trip. They feel guilty when they drop off their children at the day care before heading off to work. Most moms feel like their hearts are being twisted like a wet rug when their kids start crying as they head out the door.
You don’t need to feel ashamed or guilty about pursuing a career you’re passionate about. Just because you’re working outside the home, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a bad mom.
In most cases, money is the driving force behind their workforce decisions. Most women choose to work so they can put food on the table and make sure that their kids live a comfortable life. In fact, studies show that 40% of mothers are breadwinners in their family. They have no choice but to work, but they feel like they are failing their duty as a parent when their time and attention is spent elsewhere.
How to conquer working mom guilt?
71% of working moms say that they don’t spend enough time with their kids, and they feel guilty everyday because of this. Try documenting those hours to find out exactly how much time you spend with them. Be sure to include mornings, evenings, and weekends. Review your record by the end of the week. If you do find that aren’t really spending enough time with your kids, then make time for them. Play with them, read them a story before bedtime, take them to school, and go home in time for dinner.
When guilty feelings arise, try thinking back on the main reason why you’re working out of the house. As mentioned above, most women work because they have to. They need the in order to provide their family with the basic necessities. If this is you, then there is nothing to be guilty about. Focus on the financial realities of your life to ease