The Push, the Pull, and the Purpose: Navigating Work and Motherhood
By Amy Oman- OT & Mum
Recently, I’ve seen thoughts shared by Steph Claire-Smith in response to the backlash Abbey Holmes received for returning to work a few weeks after her baby was born.
It got me thinking — deeply — about the expectations mothers face. I also spoke with Sarah about it. We’re both navigating parenthood, business, and career — often at the same time.
Sarah expressed that finding the right balance is her number one challenge, but acknowledged that what that looks like is going to be incredibly different for every family.
🌿 My Journey: Before and After Baby
Career has always been really important to me. I thrive on mental stimulation and have always loved the balance between ELM, private OT, and lecturing at La Trobe University. It was an enriching mix of purpose and passion.
But then came motherhood.
If you’ve read my earlier blog on daycare, you’ll know that my perceptions and priorities have shifted. I'm still passionate about growing my career and fuelling my entrepreneurial side. I still crave learning and contributing. But the maternal instinct has been stronger than I ever imagined.
I always wanted to be a mum. That journey (a story for another time) has made me so incredibly grateful to have this role — and it’s the greatest honour I could ever imagine.
But I also know I’ve been lucky to still find ways to maintain a version of career that feels meaningful — at least for now.
🔍 What the Research Says
This isn’t just my story — it’s one so many of us are living. The balance between identity, purpose, and parenting is complex, and it deserves more honest conversation. Here's what the evidence says:
💼 Job Quality Influences Postpartum Mental Health
Australian research shows that the type of job we return to matters. Insecure work — low flexibility, limited control, lack of paid leave — is linked to higher levels of postpartum distress. That pressure doesn’t just affect work performance — it deeply impacts how we show up at home, too.
👶 Effects on Children — Maternal Employment
Interestingly, children of employed mothers actually show modestly better socio-emotional outcomes compared to those whose mums weren’t working — even when mental health and income are factored out. That’s not to say one choice is “better,” but rather that kids are often more resilient than we realise, and maternal employment can offer benefits beyond finances.
🏡 Mental Health & Outcomes — Staying Home
A 2021 qualitative study comparing working and stay-at-home parents found that stay-at-home mums perceived active play as more holistically beneficial—not only for physical development but also for emotional, social, cognitive, and language skills. While working parents often focused on physical benefits, stay-at-home parents reported a richer, broader impact on child development through daily play interactions.
✅ Key Takeaways for Navigating Career & Family
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Returning to work can boost mental wellbeing and support children’s development — but only if the work is safe, flexible, and supported.
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Staying home can be equally powerful and purposeful, as long as it’s paired with social connection and emotional support.
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Every family is different. The real magic happens when we’re empowered to choose what’s right for your circumstances — not someone else’s expectations.
Whether you're diving back into work, creating from home, or still figuring it out — there’s no wrong path. There’s only your path.
💛 Final Thoughts
To the mums juggling it all: we see you. Whether you're wrestling with emails at 10pm or planning playgroup snacks after a board meeting — you're not alone.
To the stay-at-home mums feeling unseen or unsure — your presence matters more than you know.
Let’s keep talking about this — not to judge or divide — but to remind each other that both career and care can coexist, if we’re brave enough to write the rules ourselves
🌈Amy
References-
Cooklin, A. R., Canterford, L., Strazdins, L., & Nicholson, J. M. (2011). Employment conditions and maternal postpartum mental health: Results from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 14(3), 217–225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-010-0196-9
Kanda, M., Jones, C., & Scott, R. (2022). Home visiting programs and maternal mental health outcomes in Australia: A systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 22, Article 1375. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08759-9
Salimiha, A., Perales, F., & Baxter, J. (2018). Maternal employment and children’s socio-emotional outcomes: An Australian longitudinal study. International Journal of Public Health, 63, 1089–1098. https://doi.org
Snyder, K., Rech, J. P., Masuda, K., & Dinkel, D. (2021). Perspectives of infant active play: A qualitative comparison of working versus stay‑at‑home parents. BMC Public Health, 21, Article 250. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10286-x