Being a working mother is not easy. Bias against mothers is one of the most potent forms of bias known to women. There are many things a working mother wants to tell her boss, but half the time don’t.
I am lucky as my bosses are mothers (mostly) and that helps me a lot. However, many working mothers find themselves faced with situations where their needs are not understood.
Here are 7 things a working mother wants to tell her boss (but don’t)
Yes, it is normal for kids to get this sick this often. I really cannot help it.
When they get sick, and that feeling of unease comes. The night before we hope that the medicine will do the trick. Then in the morning, it is clear that our child is sick. Again. The pressure sinks in of all the meetings and deliverables that will be missed.
Not even to mention when they start daycare. Then the fun really starts! The doctor’s bills go through the roof and the days off begin adding up. As a mother, all I can is: it is what it is.
Related Post: Bye Bye Mommy Guilt, Why You Should Feel Proud of Being a Working Mother
Actually, no one wants to do a meeting at 8 am.
Ahem. I don’t think anyone wants to do a meeting at 8 am. But, it comes down to being singled out as the reason why the 8 am meeting cannot happen. When in fact, no one wanted it in the first place.
You feel me?
To be honest, everyone wants flexibility – not just parents
Employees are human beings and want flexibility too even if they are not parents (*shocked face* emoji).
Just because someone is not a parent does not mean they don’t have needs outside of the office too!
Whether that is the gym, meeting with friends, or volunteering. Everyone wants flexibility at some stage. Life does not happen in a neat little box after 5 pm and on weekends.
[bctt tweet=”Life does not happen in a neat little box after 5 pm and weekends. We are not robots!” username=”cherralle_”]
Do not assume that my ambition had changed when I became a mom.
Do not assume that a working mother wants to ‘slow down’ her career. This assumption hardly gets made towards working fathers, hence ask and listen to what she has to say. If yes then cool. But don’t assume.
Yes, It would be helpful If there is a breast pumping facility at work.
Yeah I said it.
A bathroom, a closet, in the back of the car is not an okay place for a mother to express her milk. Be considerate. We are not saying go ALL out and organize a whole nursery. The basics such as a room, with a basin, and a door that locks is the bare minimum (most moms may have their cooler bag to store their milk). I wrote here about the reality of pumping breast milk at work.
Yes, I can still get my job done.
Working mothers are exceptionally hard workers. As they know, they need to leave work at a particular time. Very often, working mothers put in a second shift at home after hours.
Don’t assume I cannot do something that requires travel.
Just don’t assume anything period. Ask. Like you would ask for anything else. Maybe I want that trip out of town for one night, to sleep in for the first time in four years. Yeah. Four years. Four years a mom.
There you have it! Becoming a mother makes woman awesome leaders. They are better at time management, delegation, and just know how to GET STUFF DONE.
Share this post if you agree!
It’s as if you read my mind! I agree with all of these, it is so hard being a working mom, but it is doable and I know I’m setting a great example for my daughter!
I agree Allie!
Oh my God!! I think we just became best friends! I’m over here fist bumping you for saying everything I’ve ever felt from my bosses.
Thank you Brooke!
Spot on! I usually have to remind my bosses that I need advanced travel notice because I need to make childcare arrangements and my husband has a job too. They are used to employees being more flexible than Moms.
I just had the dreaded conversation with my boss on stuff like this. I needed to do it. I’m so glad I did, even though it’s potentially robbed me of any growth in the future.
Sometimes you need to take a stand. and if you do it cleverly it can work out. All the best
Who would have thought this would be a conversation that you would have to have. I don’t currently work but I know my husband has had to answer a question along the lines. “So your wife doesn’t work, and your saying you have to be home too because everyone is sick”. I don’t know if this makes sense but if everyone is sick, I think it should be pretty obvious and totally ok for a father to come home to help out. I mean we were all bed ridden. Thoughts?
Oh my, When we are all ill (myself and the kids). My husband does take some time off to take care o us. I do think it is totally okay for a father to come home in that case. Thank you for commenting
These are great points. As a teacher, my work day starts at 7:15 and ends at 2:50, but there is a lot of pressure to show up earlier and stay later to “do your job right”. I can be extremely efficient without needing those extra non-work hours!
I agree, if the time is limited, its absolutely possible to be very productive in those hours. Thank you for commenting
Wow, there really are so many challenges in the workplace for moms. I hope more and more attention will be drawn to these things, so it becomes easier for working moms in the not so distant future. #lekkerlinky
Thank you Charlene, appreciate your comment. Indeed, i love sharing these points of views (a bit cheeky) but it needs to be said.
I take my hat off to Moms that work… you ladies are AMAZING!!
I loved this the first time I read it, and I still do. You’re doing a great job, in your career and as a Mom.
Thanks for linking up.
#lekkerlinky