If you’re a mom who wishes you could find a part-time job, you’re not alone. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, 60 percent of working mothers polled desire a part-time job—up from 48 percent ten years ago. Some experts say these numbers show that life is more stressful today than ten years ago. Others point out that some of us care for children, aging parents, and do the lion’s share of housework. I’m not sure if things are as dire as all that for today’s new young moms as so many men are now expected to at least help out. Changing diapers and helping with dinner is de rigueur for new dads today—not so for my father’s generation.
But regardless of the reasons, new moms are definitely yearning to go part-time.
“I am really happy about the opportunity to cut back on my work week because when I was working full-time, I was gone at least forty-five hours a week and I only got to spend a few hours each day with the baby,” says Erin Moriarity Wade, who just recently left her job as a newspaper reporter in Atlanta. She plans to work part-time and spend more quality time with her six month old son.
“I’d get up at 6:00 a.m. with the baby and spend some time playing with him and reading stories in the morning. Some nights, I wouldn’t get home until after 7 p.m. and it would break my heart to put him to bed at 8 p.m. having barely seen him all day,” Erin explains.
“I would not go back full time, I would rather deal with the financial repurcussions than work full time—that idea feels me with dread and makes me want to cry!” agreed Kali Hamerton-Stove, a public relations executive with Ketchum PR in London who now works part-time in order to spend more time with her one year old.
“It’s important to me to give more time to Harry than to work and by working three and a half days, I’m able to focus on him just enough. Sometimes I would like to work a bit less, maybe three days, but generally I’d say it’s the perfect balance of allowing me a certain adult freedom and ego while ensuring Harry is independent and receives enough of my time.” Kali says.
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