by Chandra Janean

Created on: September 23, 2009

Motherhood is one of the most demanding jobs a woman will ever have. Balancing a career with the household duties of raising a child can present challenges and rewards never imagined before bringing a new little life into the world. After the pregnancy leave ends, a mother must choose a child-care option that's compatible with her beliefs and family needs. Many women envision a life of balancing a career and motherhood, but then realize it is too difficult to let go, and allow a daycare provider, nanny or family member raise their child while they are away at their 9-5 job.

A woman in a high power career has to work much harder to achieve the same energy level and commitment their childless counterparts posses. The meals you may have once skipped to push through a presentation can no longer be skipped. You never know when your child will be sick and can't go to daycare or school, if you have no extended family support this means that mom must stay home and not go to work that day. The career that once came easy to you is now overshadowed by the fatigue of caring for a child and can become overwhelming. A friend of mine is a lawyer, after her child was born she realized that the commute and long hours expected of her were no longer realistic. She found that working part-time was a better option for her and her child's needs, at least through toddler & pre-school years. Many women simply put their career's on hold until the child is more self-sufficient, and then go back to their career.

As the child grows and matures the day to day responsibilities of the mother change and in many ways become easier. Some women go into a teaching related career so that their schedule is more closely matched to their child's, and this can be a rewarding compromise between a career and being involved in your child's life. The woman who works in a typical office setting is working much earlier and later than their child attends school, and misses out on the child's extra-curricular life. Having a family oriented company structure is ideal for a working mother. Some companies offer child-care on site, and this allows the mother to be close to their child while being focused on her career. Whatever career you may have, realize that motherhood will become number one priority once you bring your child into the world or adopt. Woman are talented at multi-tasking so combine that with our innate ability of caring and nurturing and you are bound to find your own delicate balance between family & work!

Learn more about this author, Chandra Janean.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.