In 2024, more British women than ever are navigating the complex, often overwhelming, journey of balancing a career with motherhood. With rising childcare costs, evolving workplace expectations, and the emotional weight of “doing it all,” the reality for working mums is rarely the polished image often portrayed online. Yet, behind the challenges, there’s resilience, adaptation, and quiet triumph — stories of women redefining success on their own terms.
Advertising
According to the Office for National Statistics, 73% of mothers in the UK are now employed, many in full-time or hybrid roles. But a 2023 report by The Fawcett Society revealed that 42% of working mothers feel they must downplay their parental responsibilities at work to be taken seriously, while 56% have turned down promotions due to childcare logistics. The “motherhood penalty” — the gap in pay, progression, and opportunity — remains a persistent issue.
Yet, change is underway. Flexible working laws introduced in April 2024 now allow employees to request adjusted hours, remote work, or job sharing from day one of employment. Companies like Barclays, BBC, and Unilever have expanded parental support, and grassroots networks like Women Like Us and Mumpreneur UK are amplifying women’s voices. To understand what balance really looks like today, we spoke to three working mums across the UK — each with a different story, but a shared determination to thrive.
Emma, 34 – Marketing Manager, Manchester
Emma returned to work six months after having her daughter, switching from full-time office hours to a 4-day week. “I love my job, but I didn’t want to miss her milestones,” she says. Her employer agreed to a reduced schedule with no pay cut — a rare but growing perk in progressive firms.
Her day starts at 6:30 a.m. with a quick workout and breakfast. By 8:30, she’s online, working in focused blocks until 4 p.m., when she logs off to pick up her daughter from nursery. Evenings are for family time, but she occasionally checks emails after bedtime. “I don’t do it perfectly,” she admits. “Some days I’m exhausted. But I’ve learned to say no — to extra projects, to guilt.”
Her advice? “Negotiate early. Most employers would rather keep you on adjusted terms than lose you. And find your tribe — WhatsApp groups with other mums have saved me.”
Amina, 39 – Primary School Teacher, Birmingham
As a teacher, Amina’s schedule is rigid — early starts, packed days, and marking that spills into evenings. After her son was born, she considered leaving the profession. Instead, she applied for a part-time role at a different school. “It meant a pay cut, but it gave me Wednesdays with him,” she explains.
She uses her day off for appointments, rest, and reconnecting. “I used to feel guilty for not being ‘all in’ at work or at home. Now I see it as balance — not perfection.” She also joined a local “Mums in Education” network, where teachers share tips on managing workload and parental leave.
Her biggest challenge? “The assumption that part-time means less commitment. I work just as hard — just in fewer hours.” She now mentors other mums returning to teaching, helping them navigate the system.
