Mastering the Art of Becoming a Working Mum | CBCC News

With a new year comes new changes and challenges.

For some, the changes could be small. For others, it could mean the start of completely new chapters. For women thinking of becoming a working mum as their children start school in the new year, it could mean a total shift in their lifestyles. The journey of establishing a balance between motherhood with work can be both exciting and challenging.

In Australia, more and more women are choosing to find the balance between career woman and mother. Labour force and census data revealed that the proportion of dual-earner families has increased to 71% in Australia, nearly double the level in 1979.

The main reason for most Australian mothers with young children looking to return to work is financial. The impact of of rising interest rates, soaring inflation, and an overall surge in living costs means that families require two incomes to alleviate financial strains.

Although the expenses of childcare in Australia have historically made it financially unviable for women to work more than three days a week, improved access to quality childcare, paid parental leave, and workplace flexibility is prompting many Australian women to become a working mum.

Another reason why mothers may want to return to work is to become a role-model for their children. By being able to show their children from a young age how to maintain a work-life balance, stay focussed, and demonstrate essential skills like time management or staying organised, working mums can help their children develop essential life skills and strong work ethic.

Many mums also seek to return to work because they desire personal fulfilment and professional challenges that are unrelated to their families. With rising numbers of female graduates from higher education, women are increasingly recognising the importance of reclaiming their identities and using their education and experience for their careers.

Regardless of their motivation, returning to work after taking parental leave can remain daunting and challenging.

One of the most significant challenges for women who are looking to become a working mum is adapting to the mountain of new responsibilities, time constraints, and the sheer balancing act of maintaining both a career and a family.

Although some mothers can benefit from supportive partners and/or older family members who can take over childcaring duties, the economic implications of needing childcare can limit how much work a working mum can actually do. Needing to manage the intricate logistics of balancing childcare, deadlines, and work commitments can be intensely stressful for the whole family.

For those who dedicated years to full-time motherhood, returning to a previous career role can be quite a scary process. Many women face concerns about skill retention and adaptation. The emotional tug-of-war between professional commitments and the desire to be present for one’s children can cause even more distress, making women contemplating returning to work feel like juggling it all is an unattainable feat.

Some common doubts shared by mothers wanting to go back to work include:

• Am I still competent in my career? The fear of outdated skills can cause many mums to question their competence in their chosen field.
• Can I juggle my career and my family? Trying to strike a balance between family responsibilities and excelling at work can trigger self-doubt about managing multiple roles.
• Have I lost career progress? Mums often wonder whether their career trajectory has stagnated during their hiatus.
• Will I be judged for prioritising work? Balancing work and family can bring feelings of guilt and uncertainty, with mums fearing judgment for focusing on their careers.
• How will my child be affected by my going back to work? Many mums feel concerns about the impact of returning to work on their child’s well-being and development.
• Am I making the right choice? The overarching question of whether returning to work aligns with their family’s needs and personal aspirations can be a source of deep self-doubt.