New Moms Can Return to Work and Still Have Healthy Kids

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Controversy abounds with the release of a new study that claims children of moms who work full or part time are more likely to develop poor eating and exercise habits. The study appeared in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health which assessed the habits of 12,576 five-year-olds of working mothers. Unfortunately, this study did nothing to alleviate the guilt that has haunted most working moms since they began to join the workforce generations ago.
The world is full of employed people who someday decide to become parents. All expectant parents approach their new life with their first little bundle of joy full of grand anticipation and excitement. Yet not all are completely prepared for the reality of adjusting to first time family life as working parents. Many new parents accept the fact that going back to work will prove to be quite a challenge but they believe it is definitely feasible - after all their co-workers have done it. Despite this positive mindset many moms develop clammy hands and cold feet when their unique situation finally arrives, especially when media portrays working moms in a poor light.
When it comes down to the wire, many new parents experience confusion, worry, concern and guilt when making a decision to return to work. Guilt thrives among working moms in our society for various reasons. We live in a culture that venerates perfection and when one feels they do not measure up to the latest facts and figures, it is easy to open the door to guilt. Studies gather and assimilate extremely useful data that helps guide much of what we do in all areas of life. Despite this, parents must be cautious about readily accepting studies that are released with warning notices and urgent recommendations of what to do or not do. It is not the studies per se that directly manifest guilt but often the way in which the results of a study are reported in the news and other forms of media that have the potential to perpetuate guilt.
So what is a parent to do? Acquiring a careful vigilance about everything you see and hear is important. There is always more to a story than you think and two sides to every coin. Parents should be forever cautious about assuming the newest trend is the way to go, or accepting the findings of a particular study as completely factual. Always consider the source of the article that is reporting the outcome which often impacts the manner in which the results are presented? If possible try to access the actual study and read it thoroughly to get a clear and full picture on which to base your thoughts.
The new study in the Journal of Epidemiology regarding the health and fitness of children of working mothers did show that the busy working schedules of employed parents can challenge their ability to prepare healthy food or promote physical activities for their kids. What some news reports failed to mention was that many of the children studied had unhealthy habits "regardless of whether or not their mothers worked" which maintains the importance of assisting all parents in establishing a healthy lifestyle for their children. This is just one example of why it is always prudent to read the rest of the story, especially the fine print. The reality is that parents CAN go back to work and still have healthy kids.

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