By Shiela Mie Legaspi, President — Cyberbacker
A new baby can be an overwhelmingly joyful time in a mother’s life, but it can also be a time of stress and anxiety, especially if that new mother needs to return to work at some point. The delicate balance that working mothers strive toward has been the subject of many articles, full books, and online discussions.
Global issues such as the pandemic and the sharp increase in the cost of living due to inflation have added extra pressure on working mothers. A recent Forbes article detailed the sobering outlook that many parents — particularly mothers — face. Roughly 80% of parents reported being worried about money, especially with childcare costs increasing exponentially, with some parents facing a 41% uptick in the cost of outside childcare.
While the statistics may give one reason to believe there is no balance to be found for working mothers, the news is not all so dire. More and more employers are realizing the value of a supported workforce. Working mothers, especially new moms who are just beginning to navigate the work/home balancing act, thrive in environments where they are supported, have access to help, and are given the opportunity to thoughtfully delegate tasks and rest when needed.
In search of balance
With the rise in remote work and a better understanding by employers of what workers need to be productive, happy, and retained, new mothers may have a better chance of achieving balance than ever before. However, that is not to say the road to balance is always easy.
Employers and organizational leadership can help by providing flexibility and predictability within work schedules. When new mothers return to their jobs following maternity leave, allow them to ease back into the fray. It’s important that employers and leadership not sit back and wait for new mothers to tell them what they need — they should anticipate some of the needs of these workers and provide ample opportunity for maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
Offering remote work or childcare subsidies are two ways employers can help their employees who are mothers achieve balance. In a study by Kindercare, 81% of working parents said that an employer’s childcare benefits were a key area of importance when considering whether to take or keep a job.
Support system
If new mothers have a reliable support system, they perform better not only at home, but also within their careers. Motherhood can feel like a lonely period of time when a child is still very young, but when we add the stress of returning to work to these feelings, the value of a support system becomes clear.
Support systems for new mothers can include people in their personal lives, such as family and friend groups, as well as systems implemented within the workplace by leadership. Many new mothers may appreciate regular check-ins from their managers and other members of their team, even while they are on maternity leave. It can help mothers to know that they have not been forgotten while they stepped away to care for their newborn. Creating an opportunity for connection, community-building, and a sounding board for new mothers can help them navigate the tricky first few months of motherhood, especially once they return to work.
Finding the courage to ask for help
Another reason support systems are so integral to the success of new mothers is that they bolster a new mother’s ability to ask for help. It can be difficult for working mothers to admit they cannot possibly do it all, but the reality is no one can. There has to be some give and take if one is to truly achieve a harmonious balance.
When new mothers return to the office, they need to prioritize tasks and feel comfortable delegating tasks to their support systems — whether work-related or home-related. This means they must be able to not only recognize when they need physical or mental rest, but also ask for help getting that rest.
Lastly, it is important that the employer serves as a source of support for their employees who are new mothers. They must recognize that perfection is unrealistic, that patience is a virtue, and that new mothers do their best work when they are able to practice self-care and feel they have someone to turn to if help is required.
As the working world shifts towards a more remote-based and flexible environment, employers should focus on empowering new mothers to succeed in their roles. We have all felt the effects of the pandemic, during which many working mothers left their jobs in droves. The employment rate for working mothers declined by over 15% at the onset of the pandemic, and it has been a very slow recovery.
Mothers have a wealth of talent and skills to add to the workplace. With the proper support and open ability to ask for help, they can find the balance necessary to succeed in all areas.
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