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Balancing a career and motherhood |
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Career or kids is the old dilemma for women. While society expects
women to have children, these same children are seen as unfavourable to
the woman's career prospects and her job performance. Many women take
breaks from their work when their first children are born was born.
This decision is usually based on the idea that it would be easier to
leave work and concentrate on motherhood. These women soon find that heir decisions were flawed.
Thirty-eight year old Bongiwe Ndlovu, a self-employed caterer, says she was not a good mother as she was not completely fulfilled. “You need to have a balance in both work and mothering. When I work at what I love, I feel fulfilled, and when I am fulfilled and stimulated I am a good mother," Ndlovu says.
Ndlovu says she comes from a generation who believed it was impossible for women to both raise a child and be successful at her job. This, of course, is a lie she says. It depends on the kind of person you are. When she had her daughter she thought she would not be able to do both. ‘It was so difficult. I looked for a suitable crèche everywhere, but nothing made me happy.’
Ndlovu says starting her own company meant she could work flexible hours which allow her more time with her five-year old daughter. There is still some bias that faces the working mother, but Ndlovu says it is up to women to dismiss this through the excellence of their work.
Lindie Engelbrecht, 31, the first woman offered a partnership at KPMG says “being a working mother does not make us stupid or incompetent. On the contrary, being a mother makes you a better employee - I can multitask, I have a strong sense of empathy for my colleagues and clients, and I have learned how to prove and assert myself to my clients as I am constantly reminding and proving to my kids that I am the mom and they cannot forget that," she says.
Engelbrecht is head of the KPMG Network of Women (Know) and is a devoted disciple of the principle of balance in the workplace. She is both focused and dedicated to her work and her children.
"Often it is so hard to pack up at 1pm and leave the office and work behind. But after 1pm is the time I spend with my kids and no one can take that away from me. When I am at work, I find I am far more productive in half a day than I ever was during a full day."
Engelbrecht recalls that the first years of her son's life were extremely difficult.
Asked if her decision would have been different if there had been a company crèche, she answers: "Yes, I suppose that things would have been a lot different in the sense that I would have had peace of mind and been able to leave her son at the crèche and go to work productively.
"I think a company crèche is an excellent idea if you have very young babies and need to get to work.
"It would not, however, have changed my mind about the flexible arrangement. I value the afternoons spent with my kids and I would never give it up."
This story is brought to you by Agenda – turning up the volume on gender equity. For more information call us on (031) 3047001/2/3.
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