Mothering in 2025 – Mary T. O’Sullivan

By Mary T. O’Sullivan, MSOL, contributing writer

“Gone are the days when motherhood followed a single script.” – Local 10 TV News, South Florida

More women in 2025 embrace their roles as mothers in very different ways than previous generations. Although the struggle still exists between work and family, many more women turn to alternative ways to succeed at both. Whether it’s focusing more on self-care, delegating mundane tasks, or being fortunate enough to have in home help, mothers now realize there’s no such thing as “doing it all.” And new government policy changes can make the life of a working mother even more challenging and instill a level of fear in many working women with children.

In the 1970s, the popularity of “babies can go anywhere” took hold, and children became part of an adult’s daily experience. We still have a proliferation of baby-toting gadgets, from fancy car seats and extravagant strollers, to traveling cribs and potable highchairs. We see parents bobbling babies everywhere, even in fancy restaurants.

The charm and status of baby toting may have worn off, as working mothers seek solace and peace, buckling under the stresses of balancing work and home life. Now, emphasis on self-care can dispel the guilt and pressure of child rearing: mothers realize they need time off. More literature appears touting “me time”. A well-known spa promotes the “me time” concept with its logo, “ME”. “Me time” flies in the face of what we know as the traditional Mom, selfless, ready to take care of whatever needs others have, always putting themselves last. Mothers now are beginning to understand their breaking point, leading to depression, feelings of sadness, and hopelessness. They’ve come to realize that mental and physical health, keeping friendships, and having alone time are essential survival skills for women raising children and keeping a job at the same time.

More working mothers appreciate that it’s no longer “cool” to do it all. Bragging about martyrdom is no longer in fashion, most often met with an eye roll. For the sake of sanity, delegating tasks at home is equally important as delegating at work. Many working Moms no longer feel guilty about sending out laundry (at least sheets and towels), using grocery and food delivery services, hiring a cleaning and lawn care service. There’s no pride in showing up to work haggard and drained because of discretionary time spent with evenings and weekends packed with cleaning, cooking, and driving kids around.

Stocking the refrigerator with decent prepared foods isn’t a sin. Some working mothers have in-home help. What a blessing that is. If only a mother or mother-in-law were willing to lend a hand, life could be so much easier, providing the relationship is less than toxic. Alternatively, more parents are embracing any type of help at home, whether a teen or college student, to lighten the load. Plenty of day care centers now also stay open later than 5:00 PM to accommodate overwhelming work and busy personal time schedules.

Working parents also need to understand their rights as far as workplace fairness is concerned. In early 2025, several moves by the new administration could potentially change the type of treatment working parents have become accustomed to. For working mothers juggling multiple responsibilities, the loss of governmental support could translate into increased stress and diminished job satisfaction.  Under the new guidelines, interpretations of paid parental leave, flexible hours, and protections against gender-based discrimination, could negatively affect working mothers.

It must be said that the new rules endanger the success of working parents, especially low- or moderate-income levels. Family “support programs, including housing or food assistance, face reduced funding …”, according to the Associated Press.  For working mothers—particularly those in low- or moderate-income households—these cuts may result in fewer affordable childcare options and limited access to social “safety nets”. Without reliable childcare, maintaining full-time employment becomes difficult, and many mothers may be forced to reduce their working hours or leave the workforce entirely. In turn, this move increases the potential for poverty, economic dependence, and reduces household stability.

Additionally, the new mandatory return to office and in person work orders may be a shock to the system of  working mothers who have young children or care for elderly parents at home. Remote work arrangements allow for easier balance between caregiving and job-related responsibilities. The new changes may discourage mothers from seeking work in the first place, only to fear cuts to services, benefits, and the possibility of layoffs.

Apparently, the new rules fail to recognize the realities of modern family life and the significant role mothers play in both the home, the workforce and society. Don’t working mothers have it sufficiently hard as it is? Balancing home, children, babies, household duties, food preparation, and a responsible and sometimes stressful job is difficult enough without the added worry that hard fought for workplace rights could evaporate.  Working mothers in 2025 may wonder where the conditions went that made their lives easier. Why make it so hard now? It’s a good time for self-care and “ME” time.

“Have you ever gone to the gym just to take a shower and lie on the floor for a while? No one needs to know. That’s what women’s locker rooms are for!” – Mathilde Ross, in The New York Times

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Mary T. O’Sullivan, Master of Science, Organizational Leadership, International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach, Society of Human Resource Management, “Senior Certified Professional. Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Career Coaching, University of Texas at Dallas.

Member, Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Honor Society.

Advanced Studies in Education from Montclair University, SUNY Oswego and Syracuse University.

Mary is also a certified Six Sigma Specialist, Contract Specialist, IPT Leader and holds a Certificate in Essentials of Human Resource Management from SHRM.