Working mothers outside the home are now the rule rather than the exception. Mothers have been moving into the workforce not only for their career satisfaction as is probably assumed but also because they and their families need the extra income. The bur

Working mothers – have generally referred to women who work outside the home – are the subject of much debate in the parenting world. Mothers around the world have been asking themselves: “Is it better to stay at home with the children, or work outside the home?” It is a very hard decision for a mother to choice between these two alternatives. Overall, this is a very personal choice for the mother and her family and what is best for one family may not be best for another. One of the main things that mothers think about when contemplating entering the workforce is how will this impact their children.

In recent years, full-time employment of mothers has become the norm in many parts of the world.  This norm is slowly catching up in Nepal.  It is often believed that a “good mother” is the one who gives up her career to stay at home with her children. However, no scientific evidence says children are harmed when their mothers work. A child’s development is influenced more by the emotional health of the family, how the family feels about the mother’s working, and the quality of child care. A child who is emotionally well adjusted, well loved, and well cared for will thrive regardless of whether or not the mother works outside the home.

The question that often gets asked is why mothers need to work and why they cannot stay at home too look after their children.  There is no one simple answer. Some mothers continue to work because they do not want to give up their careers that they have spent years developing. Some mothers choose to work because by bringing in money and raising the overall family income, they may be able to provide a more stimulating, and safer environment for their children, afford better nutrition, and thus reduce family stress.

Many researches have been conducted to find the impact of working mothers and most of them show that a working mom can bring up healthy and well-adjusted kids. The researches show that working outside of home is not damaging to the children and that there are in fact many benefits.

  • A working mother with some sense of accomplishment and satisfaction can serve as a good role model for her kids. Children can get inspired through her to pursue their dreams and ambitions. Mothers could especially help their daughters break stereotypes, and help them and work for whatever they wish to accomplish in life.
  • Working mothers have to manage a plethora of activities. So they encourage their kids to take responsibility. With both parents working, each family member has to play a more active role. Children in such an environment learn skills that they would not learn otherwise. Raising independent children prepares them for the real world and inculcates in them a sense of responsibility.
  • Working mothers spend quality time however short with their kids to compensate for the amount of time they do not get to spend together. Children too do not take their mother’s attention for granted. Children of a stay-at-home mother might get used to their mother’s round-the-clock attention and fail to acknowledge her efforts.
  • The financial benefits that come with having both parents work, such as going to good schools and pursuing extra-curricular interests, can inculcate a sense of security in children.

Whether a mother is working outside the home or staying home is immaterial as long as she is able to give attention, spends quality time, show love, and builds true relationship with her children. What , however, is important is that she herself is making is the one making that choice.