This informal CPD article, ‘More Than One Hat: A Mother’s Day Special’, was provided by iGROW CorpHealth, partnering with Corporates to drive Employee Engagement through Holistic Health Solutions.
Working mothers often juggle multiple roles - professional, parent, partner, and more - leading to immense pressure and the pervasive feeling of not doing enough. This article delves into the challenges faced by working moms, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion in navigating these roles. By understanding the roots of "mom guilt" and implementing practical strategies, mothers can foster a healthier mindset, enhancing both personal well-being and professional performance. Embracing self-compassion not only benefits individual mothers but also contributes to a more empathetic and supportive workplace culture.
The Invisible Load: When Work and Family Blur
Wearing multiple hats - employee, caregiver, homemaker, decision-maker - can often feel like spinning plates with no pause in sight. Working mothers experience higher levels of stress and emotional labor due to the expectation of managing both professional and domestic responsibilities.
The “invisible load” of parenting - especially mental tasks like planning meals, remembering appointments, or managing emotional needs - often goes unnoticed but has very real consequences on mental health and energy levels (1).
Parental burnout is on the rise. A recent report (2) describes it as chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion, detachment from one's children, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment.
Embracing Self-Compassion to Counter “Mom Guilt”
The myth of the “perfect mother” continues to weigh heavily on working women, leading to feelings of inadequacy - especially when they feel they can’t give 100% to both work and family. But here's what research tells us: Self-compassion is not an indulgence - it’s a protective factor against burnout.
According to Dr. Kristin Neff (3), self-compassion involves three key elements:
- Self-kindness instead of harsh self-judgment
- Common humanity, recognizing that struggle is part of being human
- Mindfulness, observing thoughts and feelings without exaggerating or suppressing them
Practicing self-compassion helps mothers shift from guilt to grace, reframing challenges as part of a shared experience - not a personal failing. This mindset opens the door to realistic expectations, emotional balance, and better coping mechanisms at home and at work.
Practical Strategies for Cultivating Self-Compassion
Implementing self-compassion in daily life can be achieved through:
- Mindful Moments: Taking short breaks during the day to breathe and center oneself.
- Positive Self-Talk: Replacing self-critical thoughts with affirming statements.
- Journaling: Reflecting on daily experiences to process emotions and recognize achievements.
- Setting Boundaries: This might mean silencing work notifications after family hours or saying no to one more “quick favor” when your plate is full. According to research (4), setting boundaries is one of the most effective self-care tools for working parents.
Final Thoughts
The journey of a working mother is complex, messy, and beautiful - but it’s also exhausting without the right support. Self-compassion is that support. It allows mothers to move through their days with less guilt, more grace, and the emotional bandwidth to be present - for themselves and for others.
Workplaces that support this shift benefit from healthier, more resilient employees - and send a powerful message: You don’t have to do it all perfectly. You just need to take care of yourself along the way.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from iGROW CorpHealth, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
REFERENCES
- https://maisonvieneworleans.com/the-invisible-workload-of-motherhood/
- https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/15/i-didnt-want-to-spend-time-with-my-children-i-was-just-going-through-the-motions-the-pain-of-parental-burnout
- https://self-compassion.org/
- https://www.pennmedicine.org/locations/entity/lancaster-general-health
