Problems of a Working Mother
There are many mothers that would like nothing more than to give up work and spend their time raising their family as best they can. However, finances - or lack of - can create a real barrier here, and many mothers find themselves having to go back to work in order to help maintain the family budget. For single mothers in particular, a return to work after having a child is often a necessity. There are a number of problems that working mothers can face.
- Difficulties with finances: For many mothers a return to work is often a catch 22 situation. They have to return to work in order to bring in or supplement the family income. However, much of this additional income may get eaten up by extra costs such as travelling and childcare.
- Getting to spend time with the kids: This is a particular concern for mothers of younger kids, where the mother may still feel that she wants top continue bonding with the child. When you are out working all day it can seem impossible to find enough hours in the day to spend quality time with the kids.
- Keeping on top of the housework: Many single mothers have to cope with working all day, and then coming home to the cooking, cleaning, and chores. And, although this is supposed to be the modern age of sexual equality, many mothers in relationships also find that they are still expected to keep on top of the chores as well as work.
- Dealing with sickness: It’s a fact of life that most children get ill, and some more than others. For a working mother this could mean having to take time off work, which could create problems at work and in some cases could mean loss of income for time taken off.
- Quality time for yourself: As a working mother it is unlikely that you will get much quality time for yourself, which means that your friendships, relationships, and social life could be affected.
- Personal illness and stress: The amount of stress that many working mothers have to cope with can often result in ill health. Trying to juggle work, the home, and the kids, can prove a real challenge for many mothers, and this can lead to stress related ill health. However, ill health can have an adverse effect on the mother’s ability to work, look after the kids, and manage the home, and this can lead to even more stress, creating a catch 22 situation.