For moms, making the decision to stay home or go back to work after having a baby is never an easy one. We are here to tell you why you shouldn't feel guilty for pursuing your career while parenting!
Some women don't have a choice in this matter, and need to work in order to support their families. Whatever the situation, working moms tend to feel guilty for having a career. Are they there for their children as much as they need to be? Could they be doing more? Are their children suffering because of their career?
Based on a recent study conducted by Harvard Business School, working moms finally have an answer to these questions.
Working Moms Make For Happy Children
As it turns out, children of working moms don't suffer in the happiness department. The study found that children of working moms wind up just as happy as the children of stay-at-home moms. In fact, maternal employment has no impact on a child's happiness in adulthood.
This is great news for all moms out there. Your children's happiness doesn't depend on your employment status. (But it may depend on how much ice cream you let them have...)
Happy Children...And High Achievers?
Not only are children of working moms happy in adulthood, they're also more likely to be high achievers at work.
In fact, women who grew up with working moms are 1.21 times more likely to be employed, and 1.29 times more likely to supervise others at work.
The biggest surprise? Daughters of employed mothers earn more than daughters of stay-at-home moms.
And the amount is pretty substantial. They earn an average of $1,880 more per year (based on the 2012 U.S. survey).
The same can't be said of men who grew up with employed mothers. The study suggests that sons aren't as influenced by their mother's employment status as daughters are, possibly due to several factors, including traditional gender and social roles.
Easing The "Working Mom" Guilt
The findings from this study should help all the working moms out there ease the guilt they may have surrounding their choice to have a career. It may be hard to let go of the guilt at first. But just remember this: Your children aren't suffering because of your career.
Really, it may help them prosper later in life.
When you come home exhausted from work, and you need to make dinner and do the laundry and do a million other things, don't think your children don't notice. Because chances are, they're paying very close attention.
Even if they don't show it, they're secretly proud of you and all you do in your career—and grateful for all you do for the family.
And maybe they're inspired to follow in your footsteps.
The bottom line: Women should make the decision to go back to work or not based on what THEY want, not based on whether their decision will negatively affect their children.
Because, as it turns out, they will be just fine no matter what their mothers choose.
Working moms—feel free to share your happy families with us on social media!
Want to return to the workforce, but don't know where to start?Join us inside Work It Daily today!
