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To be a successful working mom, you ought to love sleep- that’s definitely a joke. You cannot love sleep when going to bed late, waking up several times in the night to breastfeed, and being the first to wake up to prepare for work have become your besties. These are just a few of the problems faced by working mothers.

But there is a ray of hope. The working mom journey is not only challenges, pressures and unpredictable turns, it comes with opportunities too. Opportunities to discover our hero potentials as moms.

What are the problems faced by working mothers? How can we overcome them? And if you are a spouse to a working mom, how can you better understand her pains and support her? This article delves into the problems that working mothers face and offers practical solutions to help moms thrive in their careers and personal life.

Problems Faced By Working Mothers: The Pressures and Expectations

To see your spouse and children doing well, and to have your work colleagues or bosses sing your praises as the best at what you do is every working mom’s dream. But we all agree it’s no easy street.

That is because as working moms, we face a multitude of pressures and expectations that can be overwhelming.  Some of the most significant challenges include:

Societal Expectations: The “Supermom” Myth

It’s okay to be a super mom. I think that’s every working mom’s dream. But when you’re not there yet and society expects you to be it, it’s a whole weight of unhealthy pressure.

When society expects you to be perfect, selfless, and effortlessly balancing work and family responsibilities. This unrealistic expectation can lead to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and burnout.

Attaining the status of a supermom is not rocket science, neither does it come easy. But, when society expects that from working moms without rendering support and empathy, it becomes quiet concerning.

Workplace Pressures: Long Hours, Limited Flexibility

The modern workplace often demands long hours, limited flexibility, and an “always-on” mentality. 

As working moms, we may struggle to balance the load of work responsibilities with family obligations, leading to stress, anxiety, and conflict.

In circumstances where we have young and vibrant colleagues to compete with, the pressure gets out of hand.

Family Expectations: Childcare, Household Responsibilities

Working mothers often bear the brunt of childcare and household responsibilities, even if there is a partner or support system. 

This can lead to feelings of resentment, frustration, and exhaustion.

Aside these pressures, we become our own enemies when we pile personal expectations on ourselves.

Let’s touch on that.

Personal Expectations: Self-Care, Personal Growth

With all the stress and problems faced by working mothers on your shoulders, if you are not your cheerleader, it can be depressing. The guilt of your gym subscription expiring when you never stepped foot there. Not having enough time to accomplish the self-care goals you had for the month.

Or, saving way less than you planned to save to hit the financial target you set for yourself. Personal expectations can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and feelings of unfulfillment.

Here are some of the effects these pressures and expectations can have on mothers.

Effects of Pressures and Expectations on Working Moms

The pressures and expectations faced by working mothers can have a significant impact on physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Let’s have a look at some of the effects that problems faced by working mothers can lead to.

Physical and Mental Exhaustion: Working mothers often experience physical and mental exhaustion, leading to decreased productivity, increased stress, and a weakened immune system.

Feelings of Guilt, Shame and Inadequacy: Pressures, both personal and external may cause moms to feel guilty for not spending enough time with their families.

Feelings of shame from perceived inadequacies, and inability to balance work and family responsibilities.

Strained Relationships: The pressures and expectations faced by working mothers can lead to strained relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. You can learn more about signs of a strained relationship here.

4 Practical Solutions and Support

While the challenges you face are real, there are many solutions and support systems available to help you thrive. 

Here are some of the most effective solutions;

1. Workplace Solutions

• Flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flexible hours
• Parental leave policies that support working mothers
• Supportive colleagues and managers who understand the challenges of working mothers

2. Personal Solutions

• Time management and prioritization techniques to balance work and family responsibilities
• Self-care and mindfulness practices to reduce stress and increase well-being
• Building a support network of family, friends, and colleagues

3. Family Solutions

• Shared parenting responsibilities to reduce the burden on working mothers
• Household chore delegation to distribute responsibilities more evenly
• Quality time with family to strengthen relationships and create lasting memories

4. Empowerment and Advocacy

Working mothers have the power to create change and advocate for themselves and others. Some ways to do this include:

Challenging Societal Norms and Expectations

• Recognizing and challenging unrealistic expectations and stereotypes
•  Promoting a more nuanced understanding of working mothers and their experiences

Building a Community of Working Mothers

• Connecting with other working mothers to share experiences, advice, and support.
• Building a community that promotes empowerment, advocacy, and change.

Celebrating Successes and Embracing Imperfections

• Recognizing and celebrating the successes of working mothers
• Embracing imperfections and rejecting unrealistic expectations

In a Nutshell 

Being a working mom and thriving in the journey can be cumbersome. Nonetheless, the challenges that come with it offer opportunities that can lead us to a purpose-driven life.

By identifying the pressures and expectations that working moms face and advocating for solutions and support, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for working moms to thrive. 

Also, it’s important to note that, as a mom, you can have your expectations under control but that from people and society you wouldn’t have control over. However, equipping yourself with the necessary solutions and mindset makes all the difference.

Check this article on our blog to learn more about work life balance as a mom.