Do Part-Time Working Moms have the Best of Both Worlds?
July 23, 2017
Raising a Parent
In the seemingly endless discussion about working moms and stay-at-home moms, I have to say that I am on the fence because I do not fit into either bracket. Let me explain. As women and mothers today, we are fortunate to live in a time where the lines between full-time working mom and stay-at-home mom are blurring. Instead there are opportunities available to suit each mother’s unique circumstances. For example, I know full-time working mom friends who use a nanny-cam to constantly keep a check on their children at home. I know stay-at-home moms who work from home full-time or part-time and moms who freelance and work as and when an opportunity arises and moms who have made a successful career of blogging professionally. I know momprenuers who run thriving businesses right from their living room. Then there are part-time working moms like myself who work few days a week or few hours a day.
As women and mothers today, we are fortunate to live in a time where the lines between full-time working mom and stay-at-home mom are blurring. Instead there are opportunities available to suit each mother’s unique circumstances.
When I graduated with my MBA and landed a hi-flying Consulting job, I always thought I would be racing up the corporate ladder and indeed I was for many years. Then when Baby N arrived, I decided to take a complete halt and stayed home being a full-time mom for a year. Now I am somewhere in between, working part-time. I go to the office for 3 hours a day, and then I work for another 2-3 hours from home.
So do I have the best of both worlds? Probably, but then I also face the challenges of both worlds. Here are a few pros and cons of being a part-time working mom (or a PTWM as we are called):
Pros
I get to spend time with my baby – Undoubtedly the only reason I am not working full-time is so that I can spend this time with my baby. I am fortunate to be in this position where I can choose not to be away from him all day and I really treasure this because I know not all mothers have this choice due to financial or other personal reasons.
I get to be “Me” – I get some time in the day when I am not “Mamma”. I get to be myself, go out of the house, meet people, talk about non-baby-related things. It is incredibly refreshing and I feel more recharged when I get back home.
I value my time with my baby more – Now that I am spending less time with my baby as compared to when I was a full-time mom, I actually value my time with him more. I ensure we spend a few hours of quality time together each day. I plan activities for us in advance so that we can make the most of our time together.
Cons
I am missing out on career opportunities – Often people think that part-time working mothers are not committed to their career. The time spent working part-time is not taken as real work experience when you are looking for growth in your career. I know that I am capable of doing better professionally and financially if I chose to work full-time. Though as I mentioned, this trend is thankfully changing in corporate India, but we still have a long way to go.
I sometimes feel like a Jack of all trades, Master of none – I am constantly juggling parenting, work, blogging, and household chores. At any point in time my mind is in 4 different places at once. At work my eye is always on the clock to make sure I reach daycare on time to pick up Baby N. When I’m putting him to sleep, I am on my phone either checking work emails or working on my blog. Even when I can manage to snatch 5 mins away for myself, I quickly catch up on some work on my phone. I sometimes wonder if I am doing justice to any of the things I am actually working on.
I have an erratic schedule that is out of my own control – Other than the 3 hours I spend at the office, I often don’t have a fixed work schedule. Since I end up working whenever my baby is sleeping or playing with someone else at home, I cannot plan my day in advance and it becomes difficult when I have to attend meetings or work calls.
So do I have any regrets about being a part-time working mom? No, because in my opinion the pros far outweigh the cons at this point in my life. I have to admit that I never saw this life for myself. Just 2 years ago if you had told that Consultant that this would be her life one day, she probably would have scoffed at you. Yet here I am and oddly enough I am happy with the way things have turned out. I guess I have found my version of the elusive work-life balance!
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I can totally understand your situation. Work fro home, managing your schedule especially with a baby is not easy. Me too sail in the same boat but doing what I love is the most satisfactory feeling.
http://mothersgurukul.com/are-you-doing-what-you-love-2/
Well said!! I guess part time work is just so perfect at this point of time… Yes we do miss out few things, but at the same time we don’t have to leave our jobs completely…
I am the mom who wants to work part time if situation permits…
Thank you for sharing.. ?
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV5NZD7yY2bIJqK12hcpzrw
Thx for this informative post !! ??
I’m happy I’m pursuing my PhD along side, saves me from feeling I’m zoned out and not doing anything constructive career-wise
Oh wow that is amazing. Good luck with your PhD!
I totally agree with being the Jack of all trades- jill ?. I wasnt actually a career woman before I had kids but then again the idea of being a working woman appealed to me more than being a home maker… but now thinking about it- i rather spend time home with my kids than working-
Haha…yes I should have used Jill instead!
I’m not sure if we can call it best of both worlds because career does take a hit. I have seen systems in place in some countries where mothers get as much as 6 months paid leave and 1 year unpaid leave without it affecting their salaries or positions when they get back. For me it was an easy choice to take a break from career and I have been freelancing since then but I wish there was a better system in place. 🙂
http://raisingkarma.in/vilah-bloom-diaper-bag-review/
Precisely true. As I mentioned, I am definitely missing out on career opportunities. I could be doing much better professionally and financially. Though India still has a long way to go in this regard, the Maternity Bill is a step in the right direction.
I think its peron to person and situation to situation. I was working and gave up my full time job as no one was there to take care in my absence. But today I work from home as a full times since 7 years. It took time but I created something for myself.
That’s great Jiya. We are fortunate that such opportunities are available for us now.
Very nicely put. Valid points.
I am glad its a balanced way and you having best of both
I think like you talk about the pros I want to ignore the cons Coz being with your child when they needed us the most is more important then trusting the nany
Yes absolutely, as I said the pros far outweigh the cons.
It’s a tough decision to make.
Oh I know what you mean mama❤. The erratic schedule does take a toll on my sanity??? for me, I miss the human interaction the most (other than the lil one’s gibberish) . I miss that adrenaline rush of my career goals ☺☺☺
Oh you put it so much better than I did. Human interaction and adrenaline rush of my career goals…that is exactly what I miss the most!
I think both part time or stay at home working moms are great. Actually both are managing their resonsibilities according to their own style.both are eaqually superb and are super moms
Thanks for sharing your journey..However i do feel that there are more pros than cons for me… Don’t we all live being our own boss
Haha true that!
I can relate to the situation here, Mom’s often get involved in many works in one time but what matters the most is how we balance our way through it. nice read
Women are awesome at multi tasking. More power to you . It’s good to chose to write about your journey as it will motivate more women to make the right decision for themselves. A country will only grow if equal opportunities are provided to both men and women in every field. Though we now see a change but we surely have a long way to go. Hopefully soon we see a positive change.
Thank you so much Aesha!
It is so hard to manage our babies and yet retain a part of ourselves that defines us – the work we do. Though I love being a mother, I don’t want it to be the ONLY thing that defines me. Staying home full time and being the only one who manages the baby, it becomes hard sometimes to even find the time to start the computer. Most days it is just survival. But that’s what women are good at right? We somehow manage to do it all!
Nikita you are an inspiration to me! I see all the time you spend with Laddoo, plus your blog, WARM and what not. Then I saw your lettering and baking and I was like “Where in the world does she get the time and energy for this!”
Great post and I am sure many moms are going to relate to this one. I am a freelancer and work from home. I also feel like pulled into 2 different directions sometimes.
I can relate to this post. And it’s definitely not the best of both worlds ? hectic office work, toddler’s tantrums and managing house work.. That’s a lot to do!
Kudos to your spirit dear. I can understand your thoughts as I am a full time working mom. Sometimes I also get thoughts of being good for nothing. However, soon I get myself back. I am proud of my work and I am also confidant about my parenting duties. Multitasking is the biggest strength of mothers, isn’t it?
Thank you Shipra. I have real respect for moms like you who manage full time work as well. Hats off!
Loved reading your post. Can quite relate with the situation, I quit teaching after marriage and baby and now i am a ‘work at home’ mom. But you know what I think work from home moms also get the worst of both worlds along with the best
Well I guess there are hits and misses in both the worlds !
Love the reAd
It is hard to balance work and home and be satisfied. At a time one portion is complete and other is left empty. But I find your pointers reasoned well, loved the positive energy in the post.
Cheers
MeenalSonal