Stress Management Tips for the Working Mom
In the past, being a working mom was almost always equated with a stressful life. Who wouldn't say so, anyway? You wake up earlier than the rest of the family to prepare the kids' meals and get them ready for school, after which you ready yourself for a day of stress at work, only to end the day with another kind of challenge, that is, picking your usually cranky kids from school, making their dinners, ensuring that they've done their homework and putting them to bed.
And that's just the motherly duties. We still haven't mentioned the wifely and the homemaker parts. It seems like a life of eternal work, work, work. However, it really isn't.
Motherhood is a role that entails a good balance between care giving and self-fulfillment. A mother's positive self-image, whether it be brought about by exposure to the workplace or fulfillment from manning the home front, results in positive interaction with well-adjusted children. Children of working mothers do as well as those of stay at home mothers.
Child development: The good – Positive attitude about work
As primary models to young learners, parents pass on their outlook about work and responsibility to their children, whether they intend to or not. Children see the value of contributing to society, and will then strive to apply themselves in the same way. – Absorb the value of responsibility and independence
When parents share with their children what is enjoyable about their jobs, as well as the difficulties often encountered, they help their kids form their own notion of work, plus the responsibility that work entails. – Share equal relationship with both parents
The amount of time spent by both parents with the children is almost the same. Both are working, and both will want to spend time with the kids. Mom will cease to be labeled as the only nurturer whom kids bond with emotionally. Dad may take his share of emotional bonding, as mom does her share of providing financially. The positive effects of working moms are multiplied when fathers partake in child care and in household matters.
The bad – May feel apprehensive
Tension at work plus the pressure to keep the household and the kids at their best increases stress. Kids can sense this tension and become reluctant toward their own moms, which may lead to a less open line of communication between the two.
The level of stress a mother feels as a result of physical or emotional exhaustion, dissatisfaction, or discontent (either at home or in the office) is unknowingly passed on to her child. This stress is eventually translated to children's poor physical and psychological health. – May become detached
You emotional bond with your child is shaped during the first year of your child's life. Early attachment or detachment from parents, especially mothers, has a lasting emotional effect on children. Whoever answers to children's needs and takes on major part in their care during the early years of their life makes a deep impression.
If a mother's work takes her away from the child physically, chances are that the child will see the mom as a stranger or a "guest" who visits every so often. Toddlers may even become fearful of their own mothers simply because they don't recognize them. – May become too demanding
Whether they feel guilty for not being there most of the time, or because of eagerness to hold their kids, many working moms feel disposed to showering their kids with presents. Having worked so hard, the working mom tends to give little care to money spent. The danger is, when a child finds that his or her parents are appeasers, it doesn't satisfy him or her and it makes the child greedy.
While showing affection and affability may come naturally to moms, children must understand that moms are also capable of irritability due to exhaustion. Moms don't have to shower their kids with gifts to compensate for lost time. Setting the right time balance allotted for the kids often works wonders already. Set a special time for bonding, or communicate frequently. Also, guilt should never precede better parenting judgments.
Related Tags: stress management, working mom
Abbas Abedi--Learn about ancients ways of holistic medicine and healing from my Holistic Shamanism Blog. You can pick what works for you on the path to long lasting self-improvement. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- Manners, Aikido, And Ki Moments
In a recent Wall Street Journal editorial, columnist Peggy Noonan discussed the disappearance of man - How To Cope With Being Made Redundant
Being made redundant is not just about money and what money can buy. It is often the psychological e - What Are The Side Effects Of Stress
We live in a fast paced world that never seems to sleep. For many people they try to cram as much ac - Feel Better With Stress Management
Stress may be largely thought of as a mental problem,but it does contain its own material manifestat - Help With Stress - A New Effective Technique For Fast Relief
There are many symptoms that sufferers experience when they are dealing with stress, too many to go - How To Relief Stress When Faced With Challenges In Life
The myriad of issues facing us constantly mean we find a good avenue to relief stress. We live a lif - Anxiety Disorders Symptoms - Treatment For Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders symptoms are diverse and include things such as social anxiety, Post-Traumatic Str - Overlooking Data Revenue Could Kill Your Current Campaign!
Most online marketers have access to data but many don't realize the true value in it. NOT monetizin - The Five Step Approach To Managing Anger
If something happens that makes you feel angry (like not being allowed to go to a party until you cl - How Kinesiology Can Help With Stress
Stress is one of the biggest problems in the western world and may be caused by a variety of differe
Most viewed articles in this category:
- No More Stress: Stress Relief Ideas
I hear it everywhere, read it everywhere-everybody's stressed out. The mad rush of daily activities - Feeling Suicidal
The thought has crossed my mind but I am too optimistic about tomorrow and I can't handle my enemies - Getting laid with organic
The ‘organic movement’ has now entered the bedrooms. Organic bedding and mattresses are - Home surveillance equipment - options and tips
Our world is not such a safe place to live in. Crime and robbery is on the rise and hence more and m - Stress - Is It Really As Bad For Your Health As You Think?
It has been known for many years that stress can affect your health but we are only now beginning to - 7 Tips for Relaxation
In modern society there are so many pressures on our time and lives that it can seem difficult to be - An Older Sister's Coping Secret
Being born as the oldest or older sister in a family seems to have a strong impact on our personalit - Panic Attack Self Help
A panic attack is a time of powerful, often momentarily disabling, sense of extreme fear or mental d - Crisis Intervention - What To Do in the Event of a Crisis? Part 2
A crisis is a window of opportunity for spiritual growth. You don't need to be a social worker or co - How to Put Out Your Own Fire: Stressed Out Boomers
Do you experience the blahs? Are you having trouble shaking away the blues? Do you feel overwhelmed,