How to Overcome mum-Guilt as a Working Mother with a Baby
Being a working mum can often feel like walking a tightrope. It means constantly juggling your career aspirations while also wanting to be fully present for your little one. According to Positive Psychology News, many working mothers find themselves grappling with a heavy sense of guilt.
The guilt doesn’t just stem from their decision to have a career. It is from the nagging worry that they are not giving enough to their jobs. They also feel that they are letting down their friends and partners due to the limited time and attention they can offer.
Balancing the responsibilities is about discovering what truly works for you and your family. No two mothers have the same journey, and that guilt you carry often mirrors the love you feel for your child. This article will share some practical tips to help you move beyond mum-guilt and confidently juggle both your career and motherhood.
Avoid Chasing Perfection
One of the main reasons working mums often feel that mum-guilt is so heavy is the relentless pressure to be perfect. City Magazine states that societal expectations, cultural norms, and the influence of social media contribute to the creation of an unrealistic image of motherhood. As a result, many mothers find themselves chasing unattainable standards in every aspect of parenting.
This relentless pursuit of perfection can lead to heightened stress, self-doubt, and a decline in overall well-being. What your little one really needs isn’t perfection, but a loving and engaged mum who shows up with care and consistency.
When you release the notion that everything has to be perfect, you open up the opportunity to truly enjoy both motherhood and your career. Keep in mind that balance is not about achieving constant perfection; it is about being mindful of how you spend your time and energy.
Master Work-Life Balance
For a working mum, achieving a perfect work-life balance is crucial. It’s about creating a flow that lets you shine in your professional life and enjoy your time at home. According to Healthdirect, finding a good work-life balance is all about juggling the demands of your work with your personal life. It has to be in a way that prevents burnout.
When you strike that balance, you can be productive at work while still carving out time for yourself and your loved ones. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to manage various commitments. It can make you feel like you are not really excelling at anything.
Implementing practical strategies can transform your experience. Always remember that balance changes as your child grows up. Welcoming a bit of flexibility helps you to discover a rhythm that supports both your career and your journey into motherhood.
Share Parenting Responsibilities
Sharing parenting duties is one of the best ways to lighten the load of mum-guilt that many working mothers face. When you and your partner, or other trusted family members, pitch in together, it eases your burden and strengthens your family ties. Your little one gets to soak up love and care from different people, and you find peace of mind.
Dividing up feeding responsibilities ensures that both parents play an active role in caring for their baby while also getting some much-needed rest. While formula can be a valuable option for many families, breastfeeding, when possible, offers nutritional benefits that formula cannot replicate.
Moreover, formula feeding may not be the safest option, considering the ongoing NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis) lawsuits. The NEC lawsuit update has shed light on some serious concerns surrounding formula feeding, particularly the potential health risks for premature babies.
TorHoerman Law states that Abbott and Mead Johnson are under legal scrutiny over their baby formula products. They allegedly failed to inform consumers about the risks associated with Similac and Enfamil. For parents, it is crucial to make informed decisions and select formulas carefully.
When you share responsibilities, you lighten the load of feeling like you have to be everywhere and do everything flawlessly. Welcoming support and viewing parenting as a collaborative journey enable you to release that unnecessary guilt and truly savor the joys of motherhood.
Prioritise Self-Care
Taking care of yourself is essential for tackling that mum-guilt that often comes with being a working mother. Number Analytics notes that motherhood is a transformative journey filled with incredible joy, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most pressing issues for mothers is striking a balance between self-care and the constant needs of their little ones.
Self-care, which involves taking care of physical, emotional, and mental health, gets pushed aside. Always remember that taking care of yourself is crucial for both you and your child. It, in turn, makes you more patient, focused, and emotionally present, whether at work or home. Even small steps toward self-care can have a significant impact on how you feel each day.
Keep in mind that your happiness and health directly impact your baby’s well-being. It is perfectly fine to take some time for yourself without feeling guilty. When you nurture yourself, you’re better equipped to be the amazing mother your child deserves.
Focus on Quality
Shifting your focus from quantity to quality can be a game-changer in tackling mum-guilt as a working mother. It’s all too common to feel bad about the limited time you have with your little one. But what matters is the significance of the moments.
Even brief instances of undivided attention can forge deep emotional connections and create cherished memories. Being fully engaged during these times allows both you and your baby to feel connected and appreciated.
Spending quality time together means you can relax and stop stressing about always needing to do more or fill every moment with activity. This shift in thinking reduces feelings of guilt. It allows you to value the special connection you have with your child, regardless of how busy life may become.
FAQs
Who is happier, working mums or stay-at-home mums?
When it comes to happiness, there’s really no clear winner between working mums and stay-at-home mums. Research indicates that both groups report similar levels of happiness, influenced by factors like job satisfaction, support systems, and personal preferences. Happiness is all about what fits best with each mother’s unique circumstances and values.
Does mum-guilt ever go away?
mum-guilt is not something that disappears; it stems from a profound love and the wish to do the right things for your child. Over time, with self-compassion, a reliable support system, and realistic expectations, it might lessen or become easier to handle. Rather than fading away, it shifts and changes as your experience in motherhood grows.
Do kids of working mums do better?
Kids of working mothers often excel academically, sometimes even more than those with stay-at-home mothers. Children with mothers who work part-time tend to achieve higher grades, likely because they benefit from positive role models and access to quality childcare. Working mothers can have a significant positive impact on their children’s success.
Dealing with mum-guilt as a working mum with a baby is a path that demands both patience and kindness towards yourself. The secret lies in letting go of the need for perfection and truly valuing the moments you spend with your little one.
Shifting your mindset and adopting practical strategies allows you to manage that mum-guilt and find joy in both your career and motherhood. Striking this balance is possible and incredibly rewarding.
Building a Brand as a Working Parent: The Bit Nobody Talks About (The Loneliness)
Building a brand as a working parent looks great on paper — flexible hours, doing something you love, creating a life that fits around family. But the reality is often messier. You’re juggling school runs and deadlines, client work and packed lunches, confidence wobbles and cash flow worries… and somehow you’re expected to show up online like you’ve got it all under control.
The Balance of Play
I hate admitting that because I value play so deeply, especially in those precious early years. It’s how our children learn, explore, imagine and build confidence. But as a mum trying to keep a household running and a business growing, it’s not always easy to appreciate those moments.
Part Time Working Mummy Interview: Rachaele Hambleton & Josh Marshall
Rachaele Hambleton, aka Part Time Working Mummy, is an inspirational mum of six. The incredible 43-year-old is a Sunday Times Bestselling Author—four times over—founder of The Patchwork House, a support and guidance service for vulnerable individuals and families, and she’s also a successful entrepreneur, which includes her own clothing brand REBL.
Introducing Amanda Marks
We’re thrilled to welcome our new columnist Amanda Marks. Amanda is a Renowned Breastfeeding, Food & Sleep Consultant
With over 40 years of experience supporting families, Amanda Marks is a highly respected breastfeeding, food, and sleep consultant. Based in prestigious locations including 10 Harley Street, London, and Alderley Edge, Cheshire, Amanda has worked with families from diverse backgrounds, including media personalities and royalty, maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality.
An Interview with English Professional Boxer Chris Billam-Smith
At BROOD, we’re always drawn to stories that celebrate not just professional triumphs, but the heart and humanity behind them. Someone who embodies this spirit perfectly is Chris Billam-Smith—a world-class athlete
whose grit in the ring is matched only by his devotion to his family.
Why Family Gardening Is Having a Quiet Comeback
There’s a noticeable shift happening in how families spend their time. It isn’t loud or trend-led, and it’s rarely documented with before-and-after shots. Instead, it’s quieter and slower, rooted in small routines and shared moments. Family gardening is part of that change.
From Parliament to the Premier League: Campaigning for survivors of domestic abuse during this #16DaysOfActivism
Our Head of Social Causes and Sub-Editor Teresa Parker was joined by BROOD Editor-in Chief Lolo Stubbs at an event in Parliament on the 2nd December 2025 to mark ten years of coercive control legislation. Teresa organised the event through her consultancy Teresa Parker Media, in partnership with Hawkins, Laxton & Co, which is run by her former colleagues Clare and Sian.
WHY PARENTS NEED A WILL (Even If You Don’t Think You Do)
A lot of people still think wills are only for the wealthy or the elderly. I hear this all the time. In reality, wills are about far more than dividing up money.
Learning to let go – the empowerment edit with Sarah Jayne Dunn
Have you ever found yourself in a situationship that doesn’t serve you? You’re not sure why, you can’t quite put your finger on it, but deep down, something doesn’t feel right. Your gut is nudging you, your heart feels heavy, the energy is off, and somewhere in the background, the alarm bells are starting to ring.
PETER SIDWELL’S HOMEMADE WAGONWHEELS & HOB-NOB STYLE BISCUITS
This month, I’m thrilled to share two of our all-time favourite bakes: our homemade Hob Nobs and nostalgic Wagon Wheels. These recipes are more than just sweet treats—they’re time capsules. The Hob Nobs came from a rainy weekend when we had oats, butter, and not much else in the cupboards. The kids loved rolling the dough into little biscuit balls and watching them flatten in the oven. Dipping them in chocolate was the final touch—well, that and licking the spoon clean!
