Mums need to be honest about the toll of school years — the 'motherhood penalty' is real

Women are led to believe that once the early years of child-rearing are over, their lives will return to normal. But the arrival of the school holidays is a stark reminder that motherhood is an ongoing compromise

Summer holidays mean additional strain for many women as they juggle work and childcare demands. Picture: iStock

Nine years into motherhood, and I assumed I’d be more career trailblazer than trad wife. But now that another summer is here, I can clearly see how balancing work and family life is such a stretch.

It’s a conversation I’m having with many mothers as we wrap up another school year.