#Working Mothers

[xalwaysmaggiex]

[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 𝘧𝘦𝘦���� 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

[fairyfartsco]

Check out our mermaid and unicorn shimmer soaps

[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)

[lid666]

I read an article about Kemi Badenoch today and her views on maternity pay. Learned a lot more about how hard it is to be a working woman and how hard it is to finance children. It’s made my own child rearing prospects seem bleak at best but in this moment I just want to express appreciation and gratitude for mothers everywhere. I’m proud of you and see how hard you work and fight for your children.

A whopping 25% of women go without food to be able to afford to feed their children, according to ‘Pregnant then screwed’ (charity), so I say fuck Kemi Badenoch.

[news-buzz]

Traveling By Air With A Breast Pump For Business Was Bad News Buzz

Preparedness is the key to surviving the throes of motherhood. It’s also the key to ensuring that the complexities of cross-country travel go off without a hitch. But all the books on motherhood and travel checklists in every type A traveling mama’s arsenal could not prepare me for the realities of how the Transportation Security Administration, Southwest Airlines, a five-star Las Vegas hotel,…

[colection-of-chaos]

Whumptober 2024 Day 11: Loneliness; “Leave no trace behind, like you don't even exist.”

TW: unplanned pregnancy, depression, dissuasion of abortion

Mother’s woes

Ina cried when she found out that she was no longer alone. It’s not happiness that made her cry, it was fear. Because even if she will no longer alone, she would still wouldn’t have someone to lean on. 

She was pregnant. Ina wouldn’t let go of that result of her bad decisions. Ina had considered getting an abortion, had some of the research and found a clinic before she decided against it. 

A child hadn’t been part of her plan anytime soon, but she had wanted one. When she had experienced a lot more, maybe seen the world. 

Then again, she had gotten herself pregnant from an affair that she had known from the beginning was a bad idea. 

That certainly counted as live experience. It wasn’t like she was all that young, either. Not old, but a couple of her friends had already started families. 

Her finances weren’t optimal, but she could make a dew. Having a child someone to care about wouldn’t be a bad thing either. A child could be a reason to live. 

All considering, it hadn’t been her best reasoning. Yet, she didn’t regret her decision, by any means. 

It was hard anyways. Having to look after a newborn, without someone at her back. Someone that would get up in the night, to check if her child was still bereaving, or granted her some much-needed sleep by calming it down. There was no way of denying that she was exhausted, and that she still longed for someone else to be there. She was no longer alone, she loved her daughter more than anything, but she still felt lonely.

Ina had loved her child’s father in the way you love fleeting happiness. She knew she couldn’t keep him. He wasn’t hers. But he had been great to be around, Ina had enjoyed the time she spent with him. Spending time with him had made her feel younger, a lot freer, than she had felt for a long time. She had loved him like candy. The time with him had been deliciously sweet, euphoric even. Something she enjoyed, but something she allowed herself, not something she could sustain or live on. 

She had been ready to let go of him every second they had together, because both of them had lives to return to. It had been a childish romance, something to enjoy, but not made for longevity. Their relationship was a refuge from their daily routing for both of them. 

For the time it went on, they knew everything and nothing about each other. Talked about silly dreams, adventures and childish hopes.

Maybe it was better to say that she had loved the time she had with her child’s father, more than she had loved the actual man. A fugitive thing better kept that way. Something that was like the smell of roses in the breeze, sweet, comforting and momentary. Nothing left behind, but memories.

The man had left, for the army or a ship, maybe a boring desk job and a wife; Ina had returned to her job, black and white movie marathons and solitude. Nothing left of that sweet romance that had been, but a gentle nostalgia. 

Or so she had thought until that pregnancy test. Until there was her child. Her daughter. 

Even when she was lonely, when she wanted someone with her, Ina didn’t think of her child, as the child of the man, she had been with. She didn’t want to have him in her live, it had been great while it lasted, but this child was hers. She loved her, more than anything. Ina may be still lonely, want someone there, but it was more of a live partner. A friend, someone to have her back, that was always there. Not a boyfriend or a husband, she had never wanted to have a romance for live. She wanted to have others, that saw her child and loved it, that would help her out without being parents. She wanted a family of people she found. Ina wanted an environment for her little girl to grow up in and for her to learn that love was more than one thing, that a family was so much more than your relatives, more over that the world was a place full of color and diversity. 

She didn't want the man that had impregnated her to feel forced into this live, she wanted her child to feel happy and loved unconditionally. 

And yes, she was alone, she had to fight, was exhausted. She was the only one protecting, that most important thing in her live. Ina was the only one that would love her child with all her hart. 

It was lonely. It was hard. But it was something she wanted to do wholeheartedly. Just so that precious thing, that she had been granted, not a remnant, a trace of a short-lived romance, but the most precious being in the world, could grow up loved and with the knowledge, that someone had their back, if they needed. 

Ina cried, when she found out, she was pregnant, not out of happiness but because she was scared. 

Now every time she saw her child, she felt warm, she was still scared, maybe even more than back then, but she is also happy. 

She is still alone, but she has a reason to confront the challenge, of meeting new people and letting go of the ones that weren’t good for her, even if it would leave her alone again, because she had her child to look out for. She had someone she loved, without fear of commitment. Her child was the scariest thing in her live, but also her light.

[xalwaysmaggiex]

My whole entire house is sick, including myself.

I have been working non-stop and it's finally beginning to take its toll on my health.

I have got to get a day off soon.

My head is cloudy and my ears nose and throat hurt.

The kids stayed home from school today but I have to work from 2pm til 10pm... 😩

[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.