Mothers are constantly being told to do it all. We’re told to take our children’s nap times for chores. We’re taught to martyr ourselves and to put ourselves last.
Name:
Raena Boston
Current Occupation:
Founder of The Working Momtras, Co-founder at Chamber of Mothers and HR Pro at a consulting firm.
# of Children and their Ages:
Three children ages 7, 5, and 1
What do you love about being a working mom?
I don't know that I love it! If you would've asked me this question pre-pandemic I would have had some lean in inspired quotes.
Now? Work feels like a necessary means to keep my life going. My day job allows my family to have financial stability.
I’m OK with not asking work to fulfill me. It’s not my job’s job to make me happy.
With that being said, I do enjoy the fact that my work is intellectually stimulating and has provided a lot of experiences for me to grow as a person.
By taking the pressure off of work to fulfill me, I was able to hone in on the things that I’m passionate about which are my online community The Working Momtras and my advocacy work as a co-founder with the Chamber of Mothers.
What is the biggest challenge of being a working mom?
Childcare! The childcare system in the US is broken and the US Treasury Department has deemed it a market failure.
All of that translates into higher costs for parents and less available childcare options. I wasn’t able to get my youngest child into daycare until she was 10 months old.
While I work-from-home I commute 20 minutes each way. My older children are in elementary school, which just adds the challenge of the school and work day not matching up.
Why in 2022 have we not figured out a more sustainable balance between the work and school day?
If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change about working mom life?
The 40 hour work week. I would love to see companies branch into 4 day work weeks and other flexible work arrangements that consider the unique needs of individuals.
What tips do you have for other working moms?
Don't attempt to do it all.
Do what makes sense or brings you joy and outsource the rest! Doing it all is a scam!
Any relationship tips for working moms?
Don't bear the mental load alone. If you are partnered, open a shared email account so that the teacher is emailing both of you directly and have your partner take on some of the administrative and logistical burden.
What's the best piece of advice your own mother gave you?
What's for you won't miss you.
What stresses you out?
The lack of paid leave in the US. The fact that we are experiencing a childcare crisis in the United States. These two stressors are what drive my work with the Chamber of Mothers. I want to see change happen in these two areas in my lifetime.
How do you mother yourself?
By resting. Mothers are constantly being told to do it all. We’re told to take our children’s nap times for chores.
We’re taught to martyr ourselves and to put ourselves last.
As the Nap Ministry says, “rest is resistance.” Rest for me looks like reading, watching a show, journaling, and napping.
How and why do you take CBD?
Goodness it has been awhile because of nursing but I take it to relax or for muscle pain. I like CBD chocolate and topical creams for muscle aches.
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