Iram Yaseen –
“A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take” – Cardinal Meymillod
Some mothers may choose to stay at home and adopt the traditional homemaker role. Others might prefer to work outside home, living life to its full potential. When choosing between staying at home and working outside, mothers tend to analyse what is best for their children. There can be both negative and positive effects of working mothers on their children. While working moms can teach their children some invaluable life skills, they can also make the child feel neglected at times.
Positive impact on kids
A stay-at-home mother who is unhappy with her life cannot be a positive influence in her kids’ lives. A working mother with some sense of accomplishment and satisfaction can serve as a good role model for her kids. Children can get inspired to pursue their dreams and ambition. Moms who effectively manage work and family can instill good work ethic into their kids. They could especially help their daughters break stereotypes and work for whatever they wish to accomplish in life.
Working mothers have to manage a plethora of activities. They encourage their kids to take responsibility. With both parents working, each family member has to play a more active role. Kids learn skills that they would not learn otherwise. Raising independent children prepares them for the real world and inculcates in them a sense of responsibility.
Working mothers spend quality time with their kids to compensate for the time they do not spend together. Kids also look forward to spending time with their parents. They do not take their mother’s attention for granted. Children of a stay-at-home mom might get used to their mom’s attention round the clock and fail to acknowledge her efforts.
The financial benefits that come with having both parents work, such as going to good schools and pursuing extra-curricular interests can inculcate a sense of security in kids.
Negative impact on kids
Poor-quality day-care services can hamper a child’s emotional and social development. Under-qualified and over-burdened staff and poor facilities at the day-care can affect your child’s physical and psychological health.
Moms might feel over-burdened and weary of trying to balance work and family. If such mothers bring their frustration home, children could develop a negative attitude. They could perceive her work as a source of distress for their family.
Mothers, despite having their kid’s best interests at heart, might fail to provide them a safe emotional outlet. They might not be enthusiastic to hear their kids’ issues after a hectic day at work. Kids in such cases could resort to finding an outlet elsewhere or simply feel that their parents are not interested in their lives.
Problems can arise between parents over the mother’s employment. Such parental conflict can adversely affect children. It could damage their self-esteem and make them insecure.
A stay-at-home mom who is unhappy about her situation cannot be an ideal mother. On the other hand, many mothers would find contentment in staying at home with their kids. The most important factors of a child’s development and well-being are the mother’s sense of fulfilment and quality of time spent together. If a working mom can ensure that her kids are well loved and well cared for, then she ought not to feel guilty about anything. It is the quality of parenting that counts. Women can be good mothers regardless of whether they stay at home or work outside.
“All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother”. Love you mama!
The author is pursing B.E (Civil) from S.S.M College of Engineering & Technology. Feedback at iramyaseen28@gmail.com
