#Working Mothers

[seileach67]

[geezerwench]

Is your family valid? Does your family meet the "right" criteria?

What would happen if all the working mothers (with husbands, of course) quit their paycheck jobs?

[futurebird]

The Provost's Secretary

(In which I help a single working mother.)

When I arrived at the provost's office I didn't know what manner of criticism I was to receive. Even in my nervous state I couldn't help but notice a peculiar rustling commotion under the long dress of her secretary, a near-sighted gray wolf spider who seemed just as flustered as I was. I craned for a better look, and saw a little spiderling peek from the ample hems of her skirts. This, it seemed, was too much for the secretary. She gave up all pretense of checking me in.

"Please oh please don't tell the provost I brought my children here!" begged the secretary. Of course I assured her I wouldn't say a word. But, after my meeting with the Provost I did something that may have betrayed the confidence of the nervous mother. The Provost followed me from her office, still giving instructions and criticisms of my work, and this was when I spotted a spiderling snuggled on the provost's gaster! Something in my demeanor betrayed my mirth at the situation.

The provost whirled around fixing her large and perpetually angry black eyes on her own bottom. Seeing the spiderling, she flew into a rage. Mandibles waggling at her secretary! She backed the poor spider into a corner. Then she shouted:

"If you bring them again you might as well look for another job!" and slammed her office door. I felt horrible. This was all my fault. I would be responsible for a mother of... um... a mother of many being out of work with no way to support her young.

So, of course I offered to babysit. To my surprise the spider was happy to trust me with such an important task and this is how she came to arrive at my apartment to drop the little ones off. She had packed them all into a large basket.

"They should stay in the basket. You don't need to do anything. Just don't leave them alone." Confident that I was helping, I bid their fussing furry mother goodbye and sat down at my desk to work on my research. After some time, I felt something small and soft nestling into my leg.

It was one of the spiderlings of course. The basket simply didn't provide the comfort of mother. I attempted to move the little one back, but when I got close to the basket several more made their way on to my arms and chest. They looked up at me, each with 8 little black eyes. "mum?" they asked. Who was I to denny them?

Soon I was covered head to toe ... and though I tried to resume my paperwork, it could not be done. I simple stood in the middle of the room, arms out, covered in spiders. I don't know how much time passed or how I didn't become overwhelmed, but suddenly after a time they all poured off my body rushing to the door.

Thankfully, it was their mother, and it was clear I was just a substitute since they made their way back to her rump with all haste. I had a few unsettling dreams, but I also resolved to talk to the provost about her intolerant attitude to children. I suppose ants can just leave their little ones at home, they have sisters who are nurse maids!

[workingmomsofsanantonio]

Oh man, today I am feeling like this cooler gloomy weather 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧𝘧 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵! 😅

Who else feels like sometimes their energy is directly proportional to the amount of sunshine outside?

But hey, we’re working moms...we’ve got deadlines to meet and 𝘬𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘵𝘰! 😂

So, how do we keep that motivation train moving along when the weather’s got other plans?

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗜’𝗺 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆:

💕 Blasting some cheesy upbeat tunes (𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝟫𝟢’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦).

💕 Breaking tasks into bite-sized chunks (𝘐’𝘮 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘓𝘓 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘛𝘏𝘐𝘕𝘎𝘚, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 ).

💕 Treating myself to a little pick-me-up (𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦!)

What are your go-to tricks when your motivation level is running on empty?

[writingmywrong]

Profile of an American Mother and Educator

Crying in an oversized storage closet

Quietly, lest the students overhear

Silent sobs drowned out

By the rhythmic whir

Of the electric pump

Striving (and failing)

To strike the impossible balance

Of collecting enough sustenance

For my growing infant

While also completing

The endless barrage

of expected tasks,

Many of which are assigned

By people

who have never

spent a single day

in this ocean

Of guilt and heartbreak

[idigitizellp21]

Finding Balance: Overcoming Guilt As A Working Mother

In the last decade, we can see an increasing number of married women moving into the workforce in a few months after childbirth. Working mothers often grapple with an elusive work-life balance, feeling the weight of time as they try to fulfill both career aspirations and family commitments. 

The stress of feeling like they should always be elsewhere irrespective of whether they are at work or home which leads to feelings of guilt and overwhelm. We will explore the complexities of maternal guilt and offer strategies to reclaim a sense of balance.

Let’s begin by discussing about the Working Mom Dilemma:

Pressure of Dual Roles: In Amy Westervelt’s book “ Forget Having it All” it encapsulates the struggles many mothers face. She mentions that society expects women to work like they don’t have children and raise children as if they don’t work. 

This creates a cycle of guilt, where mothers feel inadequate regardless of their choices.  Working mothers often feel the pressure of fulfilling both professional and parental responsibilities. For instance, a mother may need to prepare for an important meeting while also ensuring her children are ready for school, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed and inadequate in both roles.

Time Constraints: The Limited availability of time creates a constant struggle. Many mothers find themselves torn between work commitments and family activities, such as attending school events. For instance, you might yourself be sneaking away from work to attend your child’s exhibition while in the middle of checking your emails which ultimately leads to the feeling of failure. 

Guilt and Self Expectation: Working mothers frequently experience guilt about their choices, whether it’s working late or missing a family event. For instance, a mother might feel guilt for choosing to work overtime instead of spending time with her children which leads to feelings of inadequacy and impacts her overall well-being.

Strategies to overcome a working mothers guilt:

1. Ask for Help: Many Mothers struggle with the idea of asking for help. However, seeking support can relieve stress and create a network of mutual assistance. Connect with neighbors, family or other parents to share responsibilities like carpooling or organizing playdates.

2. Forgive Yourself: The first and most important step to guilt is self-forgiveness. Acknowledge that every decision you make has a reason behind it. When the guilt arises, it is important to replace negative self-talk with affirmations of your choices. For example, if you feel bad about working late, remind yourself that you are providing for your family.

3. Revisit your Values: Identify what truly matters to you. If family time tops your list, make conscious efforts to prioritize it. Say no to non-essential commitments and involve your children in daily tasks, turning chores into quality time. For instance, cook dinner together once a week to bond and create memories.

4. Embrace “Good Enough”: Striving for perfection is unrealistic. Embrace the concept of being a good enough parent. Mothers should focus on being present and connected with their children rather than trying to meet every societal expectation. Engaging in meaningful conversations, even if brief, can foster a strong parent-child bond without overwhelming yourself.

Maternal Guilt is often socially accepted, creating an environment where working mothers feel they must justify their choices. Research shows that children of working mothers can thrive, yet societal norms continue to pressure women into feeling guilty about balancing work and family. It is essential to challenge these expectations for the well-being of both mothers and families. 

The journey to overcoming guilt as a working mother is ongoing but attainable. By implementing these strategies and fostering a culture that recognises the complexities of motherhood, we can pave the way for healthier, more balanced lives. It is important to remember that mothers are never alone in this struggle and finding your version of balance is not only possible but it’s necessary. By prioritizing self-compassion and support, working mothers can reclaim their well being, ensuring a positive environment for both themselves and their families.

Talk to a professional at ImPerfect and feel better

The journey of a working mother is a delicate balance between career aspirations and familial responsibilities. The societal pressure to excel in both roles often leads to feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and overwhelm. By understanding the root causes of maternal guilt and implementing practical strategies, working mothers can reclaim their well-being and create a harmonious work-life balance.

It’s crucial to recognize that societal expectations can exacerbate maternal guilt. By challenging these norms and fostering a supportive environment, we can empower working mothers to thrive without compromise. Remember, it’s okay to not be perfect, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

– Urveez Kakalia and Krupa Abraham

[tracychamberlainhigginbotham]

(via Wednesday Wisdom: Version 6.0)

[thatrandomblogsays]

Annabeth: I, a child, had to earn Thalia’s love, that’s how the world works! I have to earn my moms love. Love is transactional, you gotta be worthy of it first silly :)

Percy, listening to this on the train

[cari-rincker]

Balancing Parenthood, Work, Disabilities, and Family with Liz Nohren

In this episode of The Billable Mom, Cari speaks with Liz Nohren, a seasoned attorney at Dove & Dove, Attorneys at Law. With expertise in general practice law and civil litigation, Liz is renowned for her dedication to clients and her exceptional advocacy skills. — https://t.ly/eDsWu

Tune in to the episode to learn from Cari and Liz Nohren. Here are this episode’s key takeaways:

•Balancing Parenthood and Career •Navigating Maternity Leave Challenges •Coping with Personal Tragedy •Raising a Child with Disabilities •Building a Family-Like Work Environment •Time Efficiency Hacks

[fox-mulder-gets-pegged]

I just wanna say bc I KNOW you're somewhere on tumblr, to the teenage girl who attended Take Your Kid To Work Day at an office building in Ontario, Canada circa 2013 and had a conversation with a middle aged woman in which you showed her your Black Veil Brides fanart and fanfics and ship content and told her about different fanfic tropes including a/b/o verse bc she happened to know who Panic! at The Disco and Fallout Boy were and thus you felt the need to show her your bandblr ship art, that was my fucking mother and I had to clarify all that to her including looking my mother in the eye and trying to explain a/b/o verse without sounding like a lunatic.

It's been 10 years and I still regularly sent evil energies in your direction. Since you'd be probably two years younger than me and thus legally an adult now, please know if this post reaches you it's on sight.

[inkskinned]

she had taken all of the pronouns in my poems and turned them masculine. every she was he. every her was him. i wrote about women dipping their hands into the honey of my chest and she had changed it in this stark, violent way. men now, in my work. in my ribs, i guess. how odd, to stare at it.

i write a lot about worshipping at the knees of my girl. what sapphic can resist the allure of chapel-talk, the divine nature of what is ours and ours alone. her hair in your shower. her chapstick melting in your car. when we say holy here, it is a different meaning. it is the smithing of our own haloes from mix-tape cds. no hammer to the anvil - only our own palms, skin scorching. forging every astral ray with the prayer please don't leave. our bible a history that is never taught in high school. we shape a church from the tent of her arched back. what other word for hymn but her voice. her moaning.

a poem can be stripped of its component parts, maybe, but can it still breathe? is it still the same ship? the words this woman changed, biting and spiraling up at me: my man is holy. i worship at his feet. he is the divinity of saturdays and the wheat of my communion and he is the hushed summer's glorious release.

it's common knowledge that you can say a word too-many times, and then it loses meaning. but here was something new: it wasn't that the words had lost meaning, but rather that they had shifted in the air somehow and turned radioactive to me. all of my words were otherwise unchanged, except for the unkind and glowing eye of him.

ivory-tower glowing in my aorta, i thought about talking to her on the sanctimonious and erudite level. telling her: a poem can be changed, can be erased or added to or demolished or reconfigured; but we do try to respect the original author. i would tell her i would have preferred her not change only the pronouns; that her actions felt like censorship rather than collaboration.

in front of me: you cannot cut him out of me, i was made to love him. no scrubbing, no penance. i will always come back to this house, come back to loving men.

i thought about telling her why her actions were cannibalism, not care. i would tell her about being 18 and pressured by my catholic family to accept a man as a partner; how i'd dated him for 5 years before being able to escape. how abusive he had been. how he had made me kneel in front of him - that i wasn't using the word worship idly, but rather as a reclamation. how i had to be re-taught even the concept of faith. how when i learned peace again, it was by the hand of a woman.

i thought about telling her about the wound behind it, the unceasing loneliness. i thought about telling her shape of the small and quiet hours; the fear; the endless and unpretty nature of just being queer. i thought about saying: all of my work comes from a place of pain.

i thought about telling her everything. when i finally found the words, it was only one: why? in that was the summary of all i felt: why not write her own poem? why change it so violently? and why choose my work, if she disliked it so much? why me?

i imagine she shrugged when she responded. all i got was a single sentence: "i really like your work but i want to be able to enjoy it without being made uncomfortable."

on her insta, her pinned post is of her boyfriend - now husband - proposing. they were married in 2023. congratulations. i really do hope she's happy.

i hope one day it stops hurting.

[thebibliosphere]

Still not over the head of cardiology, who said she wouldn't formally diagnose me with dysautonomia because she didn't want me to think of myself as disabled.

As if good vibes and a can-do attitude can stabalize autonomic dysfunction.

[workingmomsofsanantonio]

𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘮 𝘪𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘬. 😅

The struggle is real with a never-ending to-do list on our minds!

✍️Writing them down not only makes the load seem lighter but also brings a sense of control and achievement.

Sometimes, it's the little wins that count the most!🙌🏻

Let's give ourselves credit for every effort, big or small.

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀! 💕

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#productivitytip #timemanagementtip #sanantoniomoms #sanantoniowomen #womeninbusiness #networking #sanantoniosmallbusiness #sanantonio #maso #womensupportingwomen #sanantoniomoms #alamocitymoms #mombusinessowner #womenentrepreneurs #localbusiness #sanantonionetworking #workingmomsofsanantonio #wmsa

[notbecauseofvictories]

"I am going to get a good grade in ___________, a thing that is both normal to want and possible to achieve" drifts through my brain with positively alarming regularity.

[tracychamberlainhigginbotham]

(via Wednesday Wisdom: Summer Mornings for Women Entrepreneurs)

[thebrainrotsreal]

Eve, Kate, Mark and Rex! Nailing some ideas down on how I wanna draw them in the future, and enjoying messing with their designs like usual! Not a fix-it whatsoever just fun + ref for the future! I cannot do realistic styles so translating them into something I can do while still being recognizable is peak. I will mess with Rex's suit more. Trust. I Kate so much now. Look at her <333333