Working mothers are bearing the MOST brunt of the pandemic. Here is what you can do

By Lipi Upadhyay

Hello mama! How have you been feeling lately? If you are rolling your eyes at the question, we somehow know how you are coping up with the quarantine and are almost certain that you are not alone. The coronavirus pandemic has been an extremely difficult time for people across the world, but somehow working mothers seem to have been hit the hardest. No, we are not disregarding the struggles of people spanning different age-groups around the world, but women--especially working mothers--are the ones carrying the heaviest burdens.

If you feel that every day is a new chaotic struggle between working for home, working from home, being a parent and a teacher to your little one, you are most likely facing the disproportionate burden at home. As much as you divide the responsibilities at home, a mother always comes forward as a primary caregiver for the children, in most cases. Sadly, the struggle for a working mama doesn’t simply end after balancing the responsibilities of homeschooling and acing professional work, as there are meals to be cooked, clothes to be washed and dishes to be cleaned.

Mothers, we understand if the weight on your shoulders seems to get heavier with every passing day, as it takes a tremendous amount of effort to focus on your work and get the kids through online schooling at the same time. We are listing down a few tips which may help you stay as sane as possible during these testing times and not bear the complete brunt of all the responsibilities:

Let’s be honest mama, you are not on a paid vacation. You have a job which requires you to give your hundred per cent and at the same time, you are parent, who is trying her best to homeschool her kids. As children continue their education online, we understand if you are nagged by the guilt of not spending enough time with them “cause you are at home.” You might be at home, but your responsibilities and chores have multiplied manifold. Cut yourself some slack.

When you are working from home, not all days are going to be the same. Some days your little one will be extra cranky and on other days you would simply hate cooking. So, take each day as it comes and instead of exhausting yourself with the idea of perfection, pat yourself on the back for trying to manage everything! Do not waste your time and energy trying to perfect everything around you, you may spread yourself too thin.

While a rough routine may help you feel more at peace and organized, eventually you have to understand that you are not working from home under the usual circumstances and give yourself a break. If the anxious thoughts of your loved ones getting sick are troubling you as you go through your daily work, it is simply because your brain is trying to function in an extremely difficult situation, even if you forget the intensity sometimes.

We cannot stress enough on the importance of catching at least 30 minutes of peace and solace every day. You may love your children and partner to the very bits, but you still need some time for yourself daily to do something that you like. Find a way to read your favourite book, watch your favourite movie/sitcom, or even leisurely scroll through your social media handles, if that is what you want. Bottom line? Taking out some time for yourself every single day, without fail is essential for your mental peace.