Survey Confirms: Working Mothers Strive to Have It All in 2013
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In 2013, working mothers prioritize being a better mother (29 percent) over being a better employee (2 percent). Yet, a majority of working mothers (55 percent) say they will strive to be both better mothers and better employees.
Moreover, balancing work and family is the top challenge working moms (54 percent) face in 2013, and only 14 percent think they are good at both being a mom and a good employee.
2013 priorities: saving money, advancing career and improving financial well-being
Despite their financial savvy, 46 percent of working mothers say paying off debt is one of the top challenges lying ahead for them in 2013—second only to balancing work and family.
In line with the rest of the nation’s financial and economic concerns, working mothers’ top priorities in 2013 are centered on a set of financial objectives: saving more than last year (56 percent), making more money (54 percent), and putting more money into their kids’ college education funds than last year (36 percent).
Working mothers appear determined to improve their financial and career prospects in 2013, with 23 percent having set their eyes on getting a raise, 16 percent on getting a job with better pay and more responsibility, and 13 percent on getting a promotion.
"The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to reflect on budget priorities, learn lessons from last year, and put in place a plan that will enable working mothers to reach their financial goals," Bhatt says.
Working mothers were reasonably successful in keeping their 2012 resolutions: In 2012, they were most successful in keeping the following resolutions:
- Eating healthy (37 percent)
- Exercising regularly (34 percent)
- Saving more money (27 percent)
- Attaining a better work-life balance (27 percent)
Passing down the knowledge
Not only are working mothers financially responsible, but they are also making sure to pass these lessons down to their children. An overwhelming majority of working mothers (94 percent) believe it is extremely important or very important to teach their kids to manage money.
Common techniques working mothers use to teach kids how to manage money are: teaching them to look for bargains (64 percent); teaching them basic arithmetic and investment techniques, depending on age (50 percent); and teaching them to build a budget for things they want/need (49 percent).
