Even though the so-called "mommy wars" may have you believe that working moms today are slaving away in misery as their stay-at-home counterparts joyfully care for their kids, a new study by Care.com  has found that today's working moms are doing just fine.   

In fact, nearly eight out of ten working moms (78%) say that they enjoy being a working parent. And half (50%) of working mothers feel that working enables them to be strong role models for their children.

But moms aren't content with feeling "mommy tracked" in the office. In fact, nearly six out of ten working moms (58%) aspire to move higher in the professional ranks. And promotion feels possible. Nearly eight in 10 (78%) do not feel that they have been passed over for a promotion because of a perceived lack of commitment to work.

And working feels good. 

The survey found that since becoming a working parent, four out of ten moms (40%) feel that their job actually makes them more creative as a parent and that being a parent has added perspective that enhances their contributions at work. 

Thirty-two percent feel that they are more motivated to work and take on new roles since becoming a parent, and three out of ten (29%) feel that they are more productive now than they were before children.

And they have partners who help: Moms are making it work because they have support at home.  More than three-quarters of working moms (77%) have a spouse or partner who participates in the raising of their children. Among those, nine out of ten (89%) feel that their spouse/partner supports their career goals. And the feelings of "mommy guilt" appear to be abating, as sixty-four percent don't feel that the demands of their job interfere with their ability to be a good parent.  

The Problem at Work

But increasingly, as more women enter (or re-enter) the workplace, and professional aspirations continue, businesses need to catch up to the new normal of the motherhood workforce. Nearly three out of four companies (73%) where working moms are employed do not offer any child care benefits. Less than 20 percent (18%) offer flex-spending accounts; 6% offer on-site child care; 5% offer emergency back-up care; and, 4% subsidize child care. 

Ambition and support at home is limited without workplace support. According to the survey, about four out of ten working moms (39%) had to miss work during the last year because of a childcare issue.

by wendy sachs

twitter: wsachs

http://www.filmannex.com/WendySachs