I’m sure most readers of this page would know a Super Mum. The media defines a Super Mum as a Mum that works full time whilst juggling 1+ children, childcare, a household, all the household duties and perhaps a husband or partner. �I see Super Mums all the time. �The Media is now saying that Stay at Home Mums are obsolete, and the new breed of Super Mum is the norm. �But at what cost to our society. �Today I thought we’d look at the Super Mum – so we can understand them better! �I know we have lots of Super Mums on our page – you ladies are awesome!
I have come across a few very different types of Super Mum (and these are only a few examples!):
The Career Woman
The first sort are the Mums that love their job and aren’t suited to Staying at Home – they love their career (and their children of course!!) – but admit they are better suited to work – and are happier doing so! �And that’s great – not all of us are suited to this lifestyle – and we should never�criticize�otherwise. �They know themselves well enough to know what is best for them – and their family!
The SAHM Wanna-be
Then there is the other Super Mum – they would LOVE to be a Stay at Home Mum but just can’t afford to do so. �They have a bit of debt, sometimes a lot – and just feel like they are chasing their tail. �They are stressed out, exhausted and mentally drained after a normal working week. �Unfortunately these sorts of Super Mums are on the increase – and I really feel for them…. �Most of these Mums didn’t choose their current position, but were forced through circumstance, perhaps the economic downturn, perhaps a mistake in their youth with money that they are still paying for, a marriage breakdown, perhaps too many wants in the past now forces a ‘need’ to work.
Put yourself in their shoes for a minute. �Not only do they have to do everything a normal SAHM does, but she has to fit in part time or full time work into the equation. �She has to get herself and her children ready for the day, pack lunches, and leave early to drop the kids at childcare or school. �She has the additional burden of childcare fees. �She has the guilt of leaving others to look after her own.
The Super Dooper Single Mum
She truly is Super Woman! �She’s the Mum AND the Dad, she’s the breadwinner. �Her day never stops. She doesn’t have the luxury of help from a partner. � Now these women are truly Super Mums! The stress and worry some of these Mums must face every day must be�phenomenal.
The Defence Forces or Mining Widow
Their partner is away for weeks on end so they are essentially single Mums – so they are the Mum and the Dad, most still work too! �They just get into a routine when partner comes home and the whole house is thrown into chaos.
Understanding the demands placed on these women is a start. �Women need to stick together and support each other. Can you think of any other Super Mum categories? What type of Super Mum are you?
Responses to “Rise of the Super Mum”
Can we add to the group, SAHM who also study, or who has child/ren with special needs, These are two groups where i find there are more and more people. More mums (as I do) are studying from home – with or without child care, and I know many mums who SAH due to child who are either constantly sick or who have a disability and the mum has a whole range of extra dutries, appointments and jobs to take on
I have just gone back to work part time, my little man is 1 and he is loving childcare, but that doesnt stop me from feeling guilty about someone else being his carer on work days, I am still finding it hard not to cry everytime I drive out of the carpark, and all the while at work I am missing him.
I agree – I am called a super-mum often (I don’t think I am!) – I work 25hr/week and study at uni fulltime and try to fill the SAHM role as well, my husband is an apprentice. You just do what you can to get by and live the lifestyle you want for you and your family 🙂
I think stay at home mums are super mums in their own right aswell. Youre at home all day whislt partners work, looking after the house and the kiddies- ok im biast yes cause i am a SAHM 🙂 and i love every minute of it. But now throw a disability into the mix- like Cowgirl said.
My son has Autism, and every day is something new. The highs of hearing him put together new words, or any words for that matter, all the way to the lows of being out and having intolerable people say things to you, or worse to him and judge you. Just to name a few. Meltdowns become part of life, and you know your a strong person because you can handle these without breaking down yourself most of the time 🙂 You fight for understanding and acceptence for you little one.
Believe me, it takes a strong person to deal with that every day. ‘Autism Mamas’ are super mums. Any parent that has the added duties of a disabeled child is a super parent.