Psychologist Reveals the Main Challenges of Working Mothers to Maintain a Balance in Life

Illustration of the dilemma of working mothers. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Being a mother and a worker often puts women in a dilemma. On the one hand, professional demands require commitment and optimal performance, while on the other hand, the role as a mother demands emotional presence and full attention to the family.

The struggle between these two responsibilities is a challenge that is not simple for many working mothers.

"The balance between work and family for working mothers is not only determined by the ability to manage time, but also by the strength of family support, fair role sharing, and the quality of interaction with children," said psychologist Cecilia Helmina E., M.Psi., Psychologist.

Cecilia, who practices at Mitra Keluarga Hospital, explained that the biggest challenge for working mothers is the pressure to maximize their dual roles, both as professionals and as the main caregivers at home. According to him, the burden is often felt heavier than that experienced by fathers.

"Various studies show that mothers tend to feel higher emotional demands because they have to ensure that work and childcare affairs run in balance," said Cecilia as quoted by ANTARA.

To reduce this pressure, he suggested that working mothers should not hesitate to ask for support, whether from their partners, family members, or professional help. According to Cecilia, a clear and equal division of roles is the key to ensuring that domestic responsibilities are not only borne by one party.

In addition to practical support, Cecilia also emphasized the importance of the quality of the relationship between mother and child. He assessed that the presence of the mother emotionally is much more valuable than just the length of time spent together.

"The quality of interaction is not determined by how long the mother is with the child, but how the mother's presence is felt. Get used to being really present, for example by talking while eating together or before the child goes to bed," he said.

He also reminded the importance of limiting office work when at home so that family time is not disturbed and remains of good quality.

The number of working mothers in Indonesia itself continues to increase as women's participation in various sectors becomes wider. Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in 2024, the proportion of female professional workers in Indonesia has reached 50 percent, up about two percent compared to 2020.

Through a supportive work environment and strong family support at home, Cecilia believes that working mothers have a greater chance of living a balanced, healthy, and sustainable dual role.