Common Challenges for Working Mothers

All mothers share in the common task of parenting their children and the inherent responsibilities of nurturing, teaching, guiding and loving them. The term "working mothers" is really an oxymoron! All mothers are working mothers! For the sake of argument we will assume the term "working mothers" refers to mothers who work outside the home in this article. Working mothers face an additional dizzying array of tasks and duties to be performed on a daily basis over and above those of mothers who don't work outside the home.

Whether working mothers select in-home childcare by a nanny or babysitter or children need to be transported to daycare, working mothers must ensure all required supplies, equipment, clothes, diapers, etc. are ready, accessible and available for the day. Working mothers of older children need to pass out lunch money or pack lunches, double-check backpacks, be sure any required forms are signed and everything children need for the day actually make it out the door with the children.

Working mothers not only have the challenge of getting themselves and their children up and dressed and out the door, every aspect of their working lives is impacted by their parenting responsibilities. If a child is sick, working mothers must arrange for emergency care and/or schedule a doctor appointment for the child.

Working mothers also have to call out from work or negotiate with the child's father to switch off at mid-day so neither parent misses a full day of work. Some employers don't allow paid time off to care for children, so working mothers face the potential loss of pay when a child is ill or needs to have a regular medical checkup.

Working mothers begin their second job when they leave the workplace every day. Dinner must be prepared, laundry done, children bathed, homework completed, dishes washed and children put to bed before mom's evening activities begin!