Juggling motherhood and a career in the modern day working world
Like many others I watched the footage earlier this week of US Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson at her confirmation hearing describing with searing honesty, the challenge of juggling motherhood and her career. The high powered senator took the opportunity to thank her husband for his unwavering support, whilst also addressing her two daughters, Talia and Leila saying “Girls, I know it has not been easy as I have tried to navigate the challenges of juggling my career and motherhood. And I fully admit that I did not always get the balance right. But I hope that you have seen that with hard work, determination and love, it can be done.”
I felt a collective audible sigh as Ketanji’s admission struck a chord with so many working mothers - me included. In the UK a massive 75% of women with dependent children are employed, juggling work and family life. As a working mum of two girls aged 9 and 11, I know fully well the pressures of balancing a career and a family - racing to work from nursery or the school drop off, leaving meetings due to child sickness, missing bedtimes or school sports day due to a work deadline, business trip or event. The guilt is real and there have been many moments when I’ve wondered how other working mums manage to switch from mum mode to work mode and fully do either role justice.
A lot has changed for women in the workplace with the 1970’s introduction of equal pay, together with the right to statutory maternity leave and reinstatement. Mothers, however, find it a much harder playing field, constantly apologising for leaving work early or working late into the night after bedtime as their little one sleeps. Despite great progress, there is still a lot more to be done. A recent report stated that 57% of staff find employer's parental leave policy inadequate, and with nursery fees increasing working women are feeling the pressure more than ever.
Employers have also found ways to discriminate and ward off equal pay claims by regrading jobs, or make women redundant whilst on maternity leave, or perpetuate a culture of long hours. There are countless stories of mothers who describe being side-lined after returning from maternity leave and feeling under constant pressure to demonstrate their commitment to the company. Thankfully a lot more companies now offer flexible working policies (a result perhaps of Covid proving that staff can actually be trusted to work from home)
Continuing to work after having children was always something I had wanted to do. As much as I adored spending time with my girls on maternity leave I equally enjoyed what work gave me - financial independence, and fulfilment (of a different kind). Plus we’ve been told we can have it all right? Lean in and carry on!
The truth is, it is tough to balance a full time career and motherhood. It does take determination, organisation and a lot of support. They say it takes a village, and if not for the support of my husband and other mum friends then it wouldn’t be possible. He is, like many other fathers, a regular at the school gates and without him I wouldn’t be able to continue doing the job I do. The weekly Sunday evening diary chat where we try to navigate football training, parents evening, play dates, client events and meetings is like a parenting version of Jenga.
I’’m incredibly grateful to work for a company that supports working mothers - with both female founders walking that line themselves. Companies that work to create an environment where parents’ roles are valued, foster results from committed employees.
As we approach Mother’s Day I am reminded of my own mother who combined working and bringing up children when it wasn’t really done. Being a mother of two amazing girls is undoubtedly my greatest achievement and I want my daughters to believe that they can strive for a future where they can combine both a family and a career - knowing that with hard work and determination it CAN be done.