Benefit of working women

Although historically the workplace has not always been a supportive environment for a working mom, there has been and continues to be a lot of progress in this area. I personally feel this is important because millions of mothers work – some who choose to, but more who have to financially – and while it’s often a constant juggle/struggle, there can be many benefits for both a working mom and her children.

Here are some reasons which stem from both my professional experience in talking with hundreds of women, as well as from my personal experience:

Working does wonders for my patience and enthusiasm with my kids.
Being a mom is the single most difficult (and amazing, rewarding, beautiful, etc.) job I will ever have, but it is also a big identity-shift. There are so many parts of being a mother that are humbling, out of my control, heartbreaking, and stressful (and again, equally as amazing, rewarding, beautiful, etc.), that sometimes I can feel drained, exhausted, and at my wits end. So honestly, going to my professional job gives me a break to feel like the independent, capable, respected person I was before my kids, and allows me to be reminded that I am still that person. Then, when I am home with my kids, I can be a mother to them from a more refreshed, mentally strong, and well-balanced perspective.

Working helps my children learn to respect women as equals.
I think it’s important that my children learn to respect women as equals, and I believe that one of the ways I can teach them that is to have them see my husband and I as a team – “the adults” go to work, and “the kids” go to school.

I am teaching my kids that hard work, and working hard, is a good thing.
Just this morning as I was dropping my son off at preschool, he yelled out to me as I was leaving, “Bye Mommy! Have fun at work!” And I responded, “I will! Have fun at school!” Something as simple as that puts a smile on my face, as he sees my example that work is a good thing, and