What Every Working Mom Should Know

Although it is tough to leave our children, here are the following reasons why going back to work could benefit your children. #thewealthmap

It is one of the most difficult decisions a mother can make: Do I stay with my child or do I go back to work?

The United States has one of the more restrictive maternal leave windows of many major countries, with only 12 weeks of paid, protected leave. Eastern Europe leads in total paid maternity offered, with Bulgaria coming in at 59 weeks of paid leave. Estonia has a substantial amount of paid and protected leave at 166 weeks, with 85 weeks at full pay.

Each country offers a varying number of leave paid at 100% of the mother's salary, but it is clear the amount of time is substantially different than what is offered to mothers in the states.

There is some good news for working mothers, though, and it has to do with the benefits of working itself.

Here are some of the major points to help you feel good about the sacrifice you're making as a working mom.

Researchers emphasized that children of stay-at-home moms are not disadvantaged by any means; however, it is evident that there are both emotional and financial benefits for children who see both of their parents working and sharing responsibility in and out of the home.

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1. Children Model Behavior

Parents know best that children will model what they see. So this first reason may have less connection with a finances and more with the emotional, self-worth benefits of your children seeing you work.

We are coming out of a generation of parenting that has largely catered to the needs of its children. Parents have been including their children in many small and large decisions, blurring the line between adult decisions and children's decisions.

A glaring example of this occurred with a family that would not purchase their new home unless their six year old child saw the home. When the child disapproved, the family moved on from the purchase.

There are psychological benefits to children seeing their parent have a life of their own. It displays responsibility and commitment to something greater, and this is a model that children can follow.

When children get out into the world it will not be forgiving and considerate of their every desire. It will not cater to their desires and their time.

Going to work will also create down time for your children, where they will need to determine how to spend their time. It is OK for a child to feel some sense of boredom, because it will encourage creativity.

2. Children of Working Moms May Become More Successful Themselves

A study of working moms and their children by the Harvard Business School found that children of workings moms experienced a higher likelihood of:

• having a job themselves

• holding a supervisory position

• earning a higher wage

These findings are important, and hold true across 24 countries.

The numbers were even more impressive when it came to girls of working mothers, because a young girl who saw her mother working lead to an impact on gender inequality issues. Girls saw themselves more as equals.

The study also considered work within the home, and those parents that split duties within the home displayed a continued balance and equality, which had continued benefits for children.

3. Children of Working Moms May Earn More

The greatest financial impact from the over 100,000 people that were studied was the percentage increase in salary of those with working moms versus those with stay-at-home moms.

Girls with working mothers ended up making 23% more than their counterparts.

The overall message has more to do with the image presented by working mothers.

Researchers emphasized that children of stay-at-home moms are not disadvantaged by any means; however, it is evident that there are both emotional and financial benefits for children who see both of their parents working and sharing responsibility in and out of the home.

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You can message Adam at wealthmapblog@gmail.com.

Sources: Harvard Business, CNN Money