Rightly said by Jodi Picoult
“The very fact that you worry about being a good mom means that you already are one.”
A working mother is a unique institution that successfully balances parenting and a successful profession. It is a difficult challenge to do honor to both of these occupations without undervaluing the other because they are both quite demanding.
Working Mom guilt is a universal emotion and almost all working mothers are the parents who feel guilt.
Some feel bad about not playing with their children, some worry about working outside the home, while others feel bad about staying at home and losing money as a result.
Any mother you meet on the street will be able to explain the origin of her motherhood guilt.
What is Working Mom Guilt? Unveiling the Reality Behind Struggle
Working mom guilt is the term used to describe the guilty sentiments that women may experience for going back to work after having a kid or babies instead of staying at home with them.
According to Working mom guilt statistics it was found that around 57% of working mothers feel guilty everyday.
Women are expected by society to do everything, which, when confronted with the harsh truth of the situation, leaves us feeling bad about everything we do. And in the long run? This can result in a blurring of boundaries, when work and family time overlap, family issues interfere with work, and you feel as if you’re failing at both work and home and losing out on everything.
Before going on to the tips on how to overcome the Working Mom Guilt, first, let me describe to you some of the reasons why Working mothers feel guilty.
What’s Behind the Guilt? It’s Complicated
Although there is no scientific reason for why working mothers feel guilty but few of the possible reasons for this are listed below:
- You might worry that your son loves your nanny more than you.
- Returning late from work and the guilt of not being able to prepare a decent dinner for the family.
- Having a strong sense of pride in your professional accomplishments and a strong desire to hold onto them.
- You may be concerned about missing your child’s significant life events.
- You might also be worried that childcare may weaken your relationship with your child.
Managing the Struggle: Dealing with Working Mothers Guilt
The guilt that comes with being a working mother can paralyze you and control your mind. However, being a working mum leaves you too busy to allow working mum guilt to keep you in a trance for too long. There may or may not be a valid cause for you to feel guilty at any given time.
But Don’t Worry!
We are here to support you in overcoming the shame you feel as a working mother.
The following tips will assist you in overcoming working mom guilt so you can put an end to your guilty thoughts and concentrate on having fun both at work and with your child:
- Arrange & Establish Reminders
Being clumsy is something that nobody enjoys. To avoid having to rush at the last minute, get used to setting up reminders on your phone, especially with early timers. To ensure that you can hear these from anywhere in the home, make sure they have loud alerts.
- Pay attention to the gains
Make sure the advantages of having a career don’t disappear when you’re feeling guilty.
Pay attention to the money you are making and the things you can accomplish with it.
Even while creche is currently receiving the most of your money, this situation won’t last and you’ll be able to profit monetarily once your child enters school.
- Divide Responsibilities
Trying to accomplish it all is a frequent characteristic among working mothers. It’s time you begin sharing duties, whether that means asking a friend to watch the kids on the weekends or assigning your partner the tasks for the week.
Some stats show that 50% of male physicians and only 9% of female physicians are stay-at-home partners.
This completely shows that women are by default considered to be staying at home and managing everything from family scheduling to answering school-issued sick calls and also knowing the shoe size of everybody in the house.
- Consult a trusted person about your worries
Be sure to share your problems and concerns with your partner, a dependable friend, or a coach or therapist. Speaking aloud to someone supportive can be quite beneficial at times.
According to a survey conducted by Care.com, it was found that around 29% of working mothers feel guilty about asking outside help to take care of their kids.
- Give Up Negative Ideas
Before we even realize what is occurring, the negative thinking cycle can seize us like a tornado and drag us beneath. Thinking exercises are a good way to learn how to lessen working mom guilt depression. Recognizing the negative ideas is the first step.
The majority of people are unaware that 85% of our daily thoughts are negative.
This is a genetic blueprint that has been inherited by our brains to protect us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is depleted mother syndrome?
Mom burnout, also known as depleted mother syndrome, is the result of high childcare responsibilities and is characterized by feelings of physical, mental, and emotional tiredness as well as depersonalization and a lack of fulfillment.
How do working mothers cope?
Every day, set aside 10 to 30 minutes to stretch or take a stroll. Engaging in physical activity not only lowers your stress levels but also provides you with more energy to do your daily tasks. While being a mother is wonderful, being a wife is even more significant. Don’t forget to set aside time for your spouse.
What is the psychology of mom guilt?
The emotion of not being a good enough mother is known as “mom guilt.” Working Mothers, in particular, suffer greatly from the feeling that they are inadequate.
Consider your well-being, let go of the notion that you should be invisible, and stop criticizing yourself if you want to overcome your mom’s guilt.
How do I stop regretting my motherhood?
You can stop regretting and feeling less alone if you talk to other parents who have the same regrets. You can also consult a therapist or counsellor as they can better understand your sentiments, you can find peace with them, and develop coping mechanisms.
Final Takeaway
Guilt of Working mothers is a mountain that must be ascended gradually, just like any other mountain.
Mothers who work put in longer and more intense workdays. Their family’s work-life balance as well as their mental and emotional well-being are being negatively impacted by this. To begin living a more fulfilled life, you must first ask yourself important questions about what you desire and what you need.
By following the advice in this article and reading more about working mothers worldwide, you will get insight into the challenges faced by working mothers everywhere.
This will empower you to overcome feelings of guilt and become the most successful working mother you can be.