Myths and truths about working Moms

Mothers need to work despite having children

Mothers need to work, not in spite of their children, but because of them. In my experience as a mother of four children aged 6, three- year old twins and a one -year old baby, the children and I benefit in a number of ways from my working.

Emotional respite

My only break from the children and household duties is two in 24 hours, given the fact that my one year old cries at night with teething pains etc. and that I'm still breastfeeding.

Role models

Likewise, the children's only break from me is two in twenty four hours. It makes sense that young babies and children might like to have some special time with Dad or Mary Poppins for a change.

Stolen moments

Granted, two hours a day hardly seems like much work, but if you have babies or a lot of children and have such flexibility in your work schedule, then it is worth the refreshing break.

Only Mothers with small families or school-going children can work

The idea that mothers with lots of children or babies cannot or should not work is the biggest misconception that I grew up with. There is always someone qualified to take over if you really need to be away from your little ones. In my experience, working freelance and part-time, it is best to have a nanny/babysitter in the home.

A change really is as good as a rest

Your family life is as good as you feel. When a Mom feels down, unappreciated, or stuck in a rut, this negative energy reverberates throughout the whole house. Without a positive atmosphere in the home, children can develop all kinds of emotional and behavior problems that may even stay with them for life. At the very least you'll have more tantrums and negative attention-seeking behaviors, just when you're least able to cope. Doing some work, without fear of being interrupted by your children, can revive your spirits. In fact, for me, it's almost like being pampered.

Your job can be your therapy and the mainstay of your self-esteem

It is easy to become so immersed in domestic duties and mothering that you forget who you were before. The best of mothers can feel
unappreciated at times and the strongest of women can feel vulnerable to the frittering away of independence or a disconnection from the previous roles she played in society. Doing a job you enjoy keeps you in touch with the outside world and gives you the validation needed to recharge your emotional

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