Juggling Act: Navigating Work and Motherhood

Today, we're tackling a topic close to our hearts: the balancing act of work and motherhood. If you’re a mom who works (or a working mom, because, let’s be real, all moms work HARD), this episode is for you. So, buckle up as we explore how motherhood impacts our careers and mental health. We are also thrilled to welcome Wura Dasylva, a corporate commercial lawyer and mom, to share her strategies for balancing a demanding career, motherhood, and community involvement. Her advice? You’ll have to listen to find out!

Did you know that over 70% of moms with children under five and about 80% with children aged 5-18 are in the workforce? That’s a lot of us juggling deadlines and diaper changes. Yet, a recent survey by Capterra Inc. found that 65% of working mothers in Canada are struggling with mental health due to the pressures of balancing work and family. Not only that, 46% feel overlooked for promotions, 39% feel excluded from projects, and 36% feel less valued at work. And let’s not even talk about the 35% who felt unsupported after announcing their pregnancies. It’s a tough gig, and the numbers don’t lie.

Statistics from Randstad’s latest Workmonitor survey underline this point. While 21% of the Canadian workforce works from home full-time, a whopping 56% would consider quitting if forced back to the office. And for women, the ability to work from home often outweighs even a higher salary. Over 42% of women would trade a bigger paycheck for the freedom to work remotely. This highlights just how vital flexibility is for maintaining our sanity and productivity.

Embrace flexibility, communicate openly about your needs, and rely on a strong support system. Wura’s insights reminded us that while the struggle is real, so is our ability to thrive with the right tools and mindset.

So, what can we do to support working moms better? Here are a few tips:

1. Normalize Motherhood at Work: Use parenting analogies in your professional conversations to validate and include mothers.
2. Model Flexibility: Show that it’s okay to leave for a kid’s appointment without guilt. Your actions set a precedent.
3. Communicate Support: Make it clear that you support parents’ needs and provide systems to accommodate them.
4. Advocate for Change: Use your influence to push for motherhood-friendly policies and practices.
5. Be a Resource: Offer mentorship and support to new moms navigating their careers.

We need to elevate the conversation around motherhood and work-life balance. Share these insights at your next team meeting and start making a change. Remember, action begins with awareness, and it can start with you.

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