Contrary to the traditional belief that a working mother is not a good mother, I strongly believe that a working mother can be a better mother. 

“It is possible to be a woman, a mother and an achiever,” says Dr. Roopa Nadig, Dean of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences. “A successful career gives a woman a sense of identity, financial independence, a broader outlook, better problem solving ability and a lot of positivity. These factors will boost her confidence in all areas of her life, including motherhood.”

Motherhood and a career can both be extremely demanding, and it is a daunting task to do justice to each without neglecting the other. However, a woman is able to balance these responsibilities skillfully. Her success largely depends on family support and her own ambition.

In India and elsewhere, many families believe housework and child-rearing are a woman's domain. Working mothers experience high levels of stress as they juggle work, family and children’s responsibilities. This pressure may lead to inefficiency at work and marital relationships can become strained due to lack of time and fatigue. A mother needs strong support from her husband and wider family in order to succeed in a career.

In families where both parents are equally involved in child-rearing, a working mother experiences less guilt and more satisfaction. Both parents should not only share the responsibilities of childcare, but should also be able to enjoy the pleasure that comes with it. These attitudes and values will be transferred to their children and subsequent generations.

When working full-time outside the home is not possible, it is still important for mothers to carve out an identity. This could be through part-time work or helping in the local community. When a mother is involved in activities outside the home, the whole family can benefit in a number of ways. For example, working mothers can:

• put aside quality time to spend with their family, resulting in a positive family environment
• become skilled at multitasking and therefore manage their time more efficiently
• develop an increased belief in their own worth and importance
• support the economic needs of the family
• become more economically and intellectually empowered

If you have a friend, sister or wife facing the dilemma of how to juggle different roles, encourage her to achieve her goals. You will be helping her to realize her true potential and set an example to the next generation. If you are a working mother, please read “Women, how can we trail blaze to the top”.