Working mums are as caring and devoted as stay-at-home mums

For many career-driven women we know that returning to work after maternity leave is going to be hard. Many of us find ourselves flabbergasted, unprepared, and often at a crossroads when not duly supported or understood. Motherhood is a detailed activity that is constant, demanding and exhausting. No amount of checklists or manuals can ever organise you for becoming a perfect parent.

Yet, many of us dive into an indefatigable interest of preparing for motherhood. Perfect parenting is only a myth and every child is different whom we need to understand, learn and research while raising.

Many of us set expectations for ourselves and devise plans to: give birth, nurse, and return to work. There is no step formula that can accurately prepare us for delivery, baby and beyond.

More and more women are having children in their 30s (and later) and stay-at-home moms are almost exceptions now, especially in urban cities. Being a mum is one of the most demanding jobs a woman can do.

After all, in those first few months, you’re responsible for the survival and wellbeing of a tiny human being. During this time, you’re constantly absorbing new responsibilities, making fundamental decisions and applying new skills, often on reduced sleep. What other job requires this level of commitment and expertise from day one?

Many of the naturally gained motherhood competencies are highly valuable in the corporate world: time management, stress management, working round the clock, alertness, vigilance, quicker execution, ability to prioritise, organisation, multi-tasking, research and decision-making.

Female employees who become working mothers are no less committed to their job. They get their work done, and spend some quality hours with their babies before they hit the bed. Is that too much to ask?

— Alvina Clara, Dubai

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