The untold bitter truth about working mothers 

6:30 AM.  

The rest of the people at home are still half asleep. 
The cooker is on the stove. Dabbas are being packed.
Slack notifications are already buzzing. 

This is not “balance.” These are the daily survival hacks for any working mother.  

Many mothers across our country are going through the same reality, all day… every day. 

They are professionals, leaders, managers, event planners, personal calendars, solution givers, the family’s emotional anchors, and everything in between. 

 

Yet the conversation about working mothers’ struggles still feels underrated. 

We don’t glorify the struggles, but we celebrate these mothers who are “superwomen.” 

We seldom challenge the system that expects this extraordinary effort. 

This blog doesn’t sugarcoat the journey. It breaks it down. 
Precisely. Honestly. And with a noble intention. 

Because recognising working mother struggles is not just a topic of discussion anymore. It’s a conversation about business, leadership, accomplishment and talent. 

The Never-ending Double Role 

A job has working hours. Motherhood does not. 

One of the biggest working mother struggles is the “double shift”, a full professional workday followed by unpaid domestic responsibilities. 

For many Indian women, the day doesn’t end at logging off. It continues with: 

• Meal prepping 
• Assisting the kids with school homework 
• Effective management of the household 
• Care for ageing parents

This does not happen once in a while. It is a daily process. 

Even in double-income households, research and real-world examples show that women face the harsh reality of a disproportionate distribution of domestic work responsibilities. 

This is a concern, why: 

The prolonged load of responsibilities leads to: 

• Harsh and long-term fatigue 
• Curtailed personal time 
• Very little mental bandwidth to plan for career growth 

The issue is not with the time. It’s with the energy that gets drained. 

And energy is a fundamental element that drives performance. 

The Unnoticed Pressure: Constant Planning of Everything 

This which becomes invisible at times: 

• The vaccination schedules 
• Meals for the week 
• Keeping a tab on school events 
• Remembering birthdays, groceries, and bills 

This so-called mental fatigue from constant planning is one of the most underrated challenges, often termed the working mother struggle. 

Not just a physical task, but a task on your brain, a cognitive responsibility. 

Working mothers are the official project managers of any household. 

The impact: 

• Never-ending mental clutter 
• Decision making stress 
• Less focus at work 

You might be physically present in a meeting room, but your mind is running through the tasks that have to be completed. 

This is not managing many tasks and being a multitasker. This is taking many responsibilities and stressing the mind. 

Career Guilt: The Clash of the Emotions 

“I’m not performing well at work.” “I’m not giving enough time to my kid.” 

These thoughts are common. 

Of all working mother struggles, guilt is the most predominant one and the most difficult one to measure. 

Our Indian culture upholds a tremendous value for motherhood, which is usually misunderstood as some impractical expectations. 

This further leads to: 

• Over accommodation during work 
• Overdoing at home 
• Mental burnout while trying to “Do everything on my own” 

The result? No matter how much is done, it never feels enough. 

The Delegation Dilemma 

In theory, delegation solves everything. In reality, it’s complicated. 

Many working mothers in India struggle to delegate household responsibilities. 

Why? 

Because: 

• They feel responsible for “standards” 
• They worry things won’t be done “right” 
• They are conditioned to manage everything 

This becomes one of the most silent working mother struggles. 

The outcome: 

• Increased workload
• Reduced support systems
• Emotional exhaustion 

Delegation is not just about logistics. It’s about unlearning control. 

And that’s not easy. 

Career Break Bias: The Cost of Motherhood 

A career break for motherhood is often seen as a “gap.” But in reality, it is a phase of intense skill development. 

Still, when women return, they face: 

• Resume gaps are being questioned 
• Lower salary offers 
• Fewer leadership opportunities 

This is one of the most structural working mother struggles. 

What’s overlooked: 

During career breaks, women often develop: 

• Time management mastery 
• Crisis handling ability 
• Emotional intelligence 
• Multitasking under pressure 

These are leadership skills. But they are rarely acknowledged as such. 

Workplace Rigidity vs Real Life 

Workplaces are evolving. But not fast enough. 

Rigid schedules, lack of flexibility, and outdated performance metrics make it harder for working mothers to thrive. 

This adds another layer to working mother struggles. 

Common challenges: 

• Fixed working hours with no flexibility 
• Limited remote or hybrid roles 
• Lack of understanding from leadership 

The gap

Work is still designed for a life that assumes no caregiving responsibilities. 

That assumption no longer holds true. 

The Constant Time Crunch 

There are only 24 hours in a day. But working mothers are expected to stretch it beyond limits. 

Between work deadlines, school schedules, family needs, and personal responsibilities, time becomes the scarcest resource. 

This is one of the most visible working mother struggles. 

The consequence: 

• No time for self-care 
• No time for upskilling 
• No time for rest 

And over time, this impacts both career growth and personal well-being. 

The Pressure to “Have It All” 

Social media shows a polished version of life. Perfect homes. Perfect careers. Perfect parenting. 

Reality is far from perfect. Yet, this comparison adds pressure. 

Among modern working mother struggles, this expectation to “have it all” is deeply damaging. 

What it creates: 

• Unrealistic benchmarks 
• Constant comparison 
• Reduced self-worth 

The truth is simple: You can have it all. Just not all at the same time. 

Lack of Support Systems 

Support is not optional. It is essential. 

Yet many working mothers operate without: 

• Reliable childcare 
• Family support 
• Professional networks 

This significantly amplifies working mother struggles. 

Why this matters: 

Without support, everything becomes harder: 

• Career continuity 
• Mental well-being 
• Daily functioning 

Support is not a privilege. It should be infrastructure. 

The Return-to-Work Barrier 

Coming back after a break is not just about skills. It’s about confidence, opportunity, and access. 

Many women hesitate to return because: 

• They feel “outdated” 
• They face the fear of rejection 
• They lack proper guidance

This is one of the most critical working mother struggles today. 

The reality: 

Women are not outdated. They are updating—constantly. 

What they need is: 

• Opportunity 
• Visibility 
• The right platform 

What Needs to Change: A Real Shift, Not Surface Solutions 

Understanding working mother struggles is just the beginning. Solving them requires action. 

Redefining Hiring Mindsets 

Companies must stop viewing career breaks as red flags. They should start seeing them as experience layers. 

Flexible Work as a Standard 

Flexibility should not be a benefit. It should be built into the system. 

Skill-Based Hiring Over Linear Careers 

Focus on what candidates can do now—not just what they did before. 

Building Inclusive Work Cultures 

Create environments where working mothers are not exceptions—but the norm. 

Access to Opportunities 

This is where platforms like SheWork step in. 

Where SheWork Fits In 

At SheWork, the focus is clear. 

Not just hiring. But building careers that align with real lives. 

What makes the difference:  

AI-enabled talent discovery.

At the stage of life, women are being placed in the roles that are appropriate for their age and skill level. 

Flexible hiring models 

Contract, project, and full-time jobs that will address different needs. 

Bias-free hiring ecosystems 

It is very important to ensure career breaks don’t define capability. 

Access to a 300K+ talent network 

Opening doors that were previously closed. 

Faster hiring cycles 

Reducing the times that are common on return-to-work routes. 

Because solving “working mother struggles” is not about motivation. It’s about access. 

It’s Not About Balance. It’s About Redesign 

Let’s be clear. 

Working mothers are not struggling because they lack capability. They are struggling because systems are not designed for them. 

As a result of this conversation with “working mother struggles,” empathy needs to be replaced with action. 

From awareness to redesign. 

Because when working mothers succeed: 

• Teams become stronger.   
• Businesses become smarter.   
• Economies grow faster. 

And most importantly,   

We will be able to see what the next generation can see what’s possible. 

She is not requesting less work. She is asking for a fair design. And that changes everything.