Being a mom is already a tough job, but what happens when you add a part time or full time job to the mix?

Imagine waking up and first thing in the morning you are running around to get not only yourself ready but your children. You don’t have the luxury of slowly waking up, maybe watching some tv or making a healthy cooked breakfast. Instead, it looks like trying to find a lost shoe, getting the diaper bag ready for daycare, throwing your hair up in a bun and applying one coat of mascara because that is all you have time for.

Then you get to work and the chaos of the morning has followed you and you have to switch your brain from mom mode to work mode. If you are reading this and it sounded overwhelming in your mind or you can relate, this blog is for you.

A recent poll found that 42% of working mothers were diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression in 2022. You’re probably thinking to yourself, well that makes sense since the mom is usually the one responsible for the children’s welfare and taking care of the home. Who is the first person the school calls when your child is sick? Chances are, it’s mom. Now, you can’t focus on your work and jeopardize time and money to leave and become the caretaker again all in the same day.

Another reason is that when women take time off to deliver their baby, most likely wages are not paid and they are given a short amount of time to bond with the baby and fully recover from birth. Returning back to work after such an event can cause depression and anxiety because you are away from a child you are just getting to know. You are leaving them with a daycare for the first time and your anxiety is through the roof. Even if they are left with a loved one you trust, the anxiety is still there and the sadness that you’re missing out on milestones is present.

So what are some ways you can cope with this? If you are a single mom and your children rely on that income, it’s not like you can just up and quit.

-Allow yourself some self compassion. What I mean by this is, give yourself some praise for all of the hard work you are doing. If the laundry doesn’t get done that day but you spent time with your children

making fun memories, it’s okay! The laundry will be there tomorrow but your children only stay little for so long.

-Self care- I can’t stress this enough. As moms we are ALWAYS taking care of everyone around us but neglect ourselves. I don’t mean go take a fancy and elaborate vacation by yourself for a week but even doing something as small as going out for the night and leaving the sitter at home while the kids sleep. Watching a tv show, doing yoga, or reading a book. Something that is going to bring you joy and happiness.

-Make adjustments- this might not be ideal for some depending on their career, but try to find a job that works around you and your children’s schedule. Possibly working from home or switching hours of your shift. Apply to companies that understand a work-life balance.

-Remember- you are not a bad mom for working and you are certainly not alone. If your children are young they don’t understand the sacrifices you have to make in order to provide their basic needs. The one thing you can do is try to spend as much time with them as possible and make memories.

-Counseling- I am a counselor who has three young children, is a working mom and a full time student. I even threw being a soccer coach into the hectic and overwhelming of things. I am here to tell you that you are not alone, burnout is real, and the raw emotions of being a mother come out time and time again. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, workplace or motherhood burnout click on ‘schedule an appointment’ and lets complete a 15 minute free consultation!

Monica Bartley, SWT