Life is all about balance. When we were young we slowly started to learn how to manage many different things at once. As we got older and entered our teen and then adult years, the things that we have to manage increased and became more intense. Today as the feminist movement grows and women are becoming more independent, they have been faced with the reality that independence comes with many hardships and responsibilities such as balancing a lot and making many impactful and difficult decisions.

  One of the most controversial topics that have come alongside the growing independence of women is motherhood and working. Some women today see that their top priority should be their careers. They choose to work all day and they leave their young kids in a daycare center or with a babysitter until they are old enough to go to preschool, and then normal school.  Sophomore Thomas Porterfield says, “As long as there is someone to take care of the kid, moms should be able to go work and do whatever they want. But if there is nobody to take care of the kid, then the mom should stay home because the kid needs to be cared for.”

  The feminist movement promotes independence and equality, but it does so to a certain extent. Many women have misinterpreted this. They should not drown themselves in their work and career trying to be the only providers for their families when they have the option to not. Marriage is a two-person thing, where both people put in the effort to provide for their families in many forms. There is no problem with wanting a successful career, and moms should be able to have one. But it should not be the only thing that you should want in your life. There should be balance.

  Some other women today see that their top priority should be their kids. They choose to be stay-at-home moms and take care of their kids all day alongside their house and their husbands. Many people think being a stay-at-home mom is not a real job, but it can be one of the most rewarding jobs to ever exist.

  While being a stay-at-home mom is a beautiful thing, moms should also have something to be able to do on their own. Aside from making time for self-care and hobbies- they should have a career doing something they love. They should also go to college and have an education. It is also important for everyone to have their own source of income, as you never know where life might take you. 

  Alongside this, a lot of moms also meet halfway when it comes to working and motherhood by working a part-time job and then coming home as their kids return from daycare or school. This lets the Mom have a career and her source of income alongside making a lot of time for their kids. 

  Mrs. George, a Biology and IB Biology teacher as well as the Sophomore Class Council Advisor who recently returned from maternity leave says, “My opinion on moms and working now is different than before having my baby and returning to work- but my feelings are still very mixed on this topic. Before having my baby, I never in a million years thought that I would want to be a stay-at-home mom. I have always thought that working would be good for me and my family. But after having my baby and experiencing motherhood, it was hard coming back to work. I was so happy to see my students but I was so sad to miss out on my baby’s first experiences. I miss him tremendously while I’m away from him. I’m still not sure that I could be a full-time stay-at-home mom, but I think that working part-time would be better for me. That way I still have a lot of time for my baby.”  

   Many moms who work, constantly find themselves missing their kids and feeling guilty for leaving them for long periods of time. They fear that they are missing out on important events in their kids’ lives that they should be there for. They also feel like work consumes them and that they never have time for anything. Alongside this, many stay-at-home moms are always hoping to have a little more flexibility and time for themselves in their lives, feeling like their kids consume them. Even moms who work part-time, feel overwhelmed with juggling a job and their kids. With this being said, the topic of moms and working is a complex and never-ending conversation and there is no set right or wrong answer as to what is best for moms and their kids.

  At the end of the day, what is best for ourselves, our families, and our kids is all in our hands. There is no set right or wrong answer as to if a mom should work as she knows what will have the best outcome for her, her family, and her kids. Mrs. George adds, “ I think that every mom should do what they feel is best for them and their family.  It’s not the same for everyone. Some moms don’t have a choice and must work to help provide for their families.  Some moms genuinely want to work. I think it just depends on the situation.”

  Being a mom is a beautiful thing. From pregnancy to all of motherhood. Watching your baby grow into who they become is a wonderful thing. Life is short and we have to make the most of everything that comes into our lives. If you are a mom remember that you are doing your best and that you are doing great.

  Mrs. Clemmer, a Biology and AP Biology teacher as well as a wonderful Mom says, “I was able to stay home with my babies until they went to kindergarten, that time with them was priceless.  Now that they are teenagers and I am working, I love being a role model to them and showing them how to be a boss woman!  It has made them strong, independent citizens.”