Raising kids is one of life’s greatest joys. Women also face numerous challenges when they become mums, especially if they want to keep their careers. You’ve likely heard a few myths about working during motherhood. Break them down to make the best decision for your future without judgmental stereotypes influencing your journey.

1. Working Mums Have Failing Careers

People sometimes say that women with children must choose between staying home and working full time. The idea of raising kids and succeeding in a workplace might seem like too much to handle. You’ll find that the results depend on the person.

2023 data from the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows that 71% of couple families with kids under 15 years old have both parents working. The percentage is higher than the 56% average in 2000.

2. Mums Can Only Have One Priority

Children often say they have one best friend, but adults know you can have more than that. Priorities work similarly. You don’t have to put your job over your children or vice versa. They can both be equally important in your life. The key is determining what tools or resources help you achieve that lifestyle.

After having kids, you might rearrange your professional schedule or place your children in schools that better fit your work routine. There are numerous ways to make motherhood and a career work together. Give yourself time to figure out the best arrangement for your specific lifestyle.

3. Motherhood and Work Guarantee Unhappiness

Jobs don’t always provide the pay people thought they would. Research found that 39% of employees change careers to get a higher salary. Unfortunately, finding a new workplace also comes with risk. You may not find one quickly, leaving your family without a primary or secondary income for groceries, day care and bills.

There’s also some sexism that affects mums in professional environments. Women often reduce their work hours by 35% during the first five years of their children’s lives. The same research noted that men do this for only the first month before resuming their previous work schedule. Fewer working hours reduce your paycheck. You can avoid this supposedly guaranteed complication by creating a support system or finding reliable childcare within your budget.

4. Mums With Jobs Neglect Their Kids

People can have a generous idea of motherhood. They might imagine your kids love you so much that they can’t bear a minute without you. Going to work would be neglectful. The reality is that children can thrive when their mums work.

While neglect does impact a child’s emotional and physical development, working mums don’t leave their young kids alone in an empty house. Their children might thrive in long-day care centres before they’re old enough to attend school. There’s always time to bond before and after work, plus on the weekends.

5. Working Mums Can’t Ask for Help

You’ve likely heard that mums are superheroes. While they change lives with love and dedication, they’re also human. The pressure to handle everything with grace sometimes makes women think they must handle everything alone. However, asking for help could avoid family complications. If a co-worker assists with a professional deadline or a relative watches your kids during the day, your little ones will thrive while you avoid extra stress.

6. Children With Working Mums Suffer Academically

Young kids and teenagers might rely on their mums for academic support. You help them learn how to study, form homework routines and prepare for upcoming due dates when the teacher isn’t nearby. The consistency allows the brain to recognise patterns and form habits, but you don’t have to quit your jobs to provide that help. You can always support your child’s academic needs once they get home or arrange tutoring sessions when your work schedule gets busy.

Embrace Motherhood Without Judgmental Myths

Discriminatory myths shouldn’t prevent you from having the career or family of your dreams. Figure out your best path forward by taking things one day at a time. If you ask for help, create a support system and look for resources that would benefit your family, you’ll thrive as a working mum.

Mia Barnes is a professional freelance writer and the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine. Mia specialises in women’s and family wellness with the goal of empowering parents everywhere to be the best they can be. 

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