The Juggle of Working Mothers: A Systemic Issue
The phrase “Working mums. The maths ain’t mathing.” was the attention-grabbing opening line of an Instagram post by ABC Lifestyle that sparked a wave of reactions across social media. What initially appeared to be a light-hearted take on the challenges of balancing work and family life quickly turned into a broader conversation about gender roles, societal expectations, and the need for systemic change.
The post featured a relatable image of a stressed mother trying to handle a work call while her child looked on, seemingly in need of help with homework. This visual, paired with a carousel of statistics, highlighted the mismatch between school hours (9:00 am to 3:00 pm) and the typical workday (ending at 5:30 pm). The ABC noted that it’s now common for both parents to be working, but the data from the 1990s versus today revealed a stark contrast in the number of school holidays versus annual leave.
However, it was the final slide that really ignited the online debate: “So, how are mothers juggling it all? What are your tips for getting it all done? We’d love to hear from you.” While the post aimed to spark engagement, the comments were far from the expected life hacks or productivity tips. Instead, they echoed a collective frustration with the way the issue was framed.
One user remarked, “Funny how we say ‘working mums,’ but ‘dads’ just get to be… working.” Another added, “Why was this not titled working parents? The maths don’t math for fathers either.” These comments pointed to a deeper issue — the assumption that the burden of managing family and work falls disproportionately on mothers.
There were also suggestions that fathers could contribute more, with one comment stating, “Maybe the fathers could think of some ideas in their extra daily 2.5 hours of downtime.” Others expressed the emotional toll, with one parent writing, “We don’t – we have quiet, existential breakdowns, periodically throughout the year.”
A particularly powerful comment called for a shift in perspective: “I would love at the end of this article/caption to say, ‘How do we change this? What needs to shift in our society?’ Rather than ‘How do you do it?!!'” This sentiment resonated with many, highlighting the need for a broader societal conversation rather than focusing on individual solutions.
A Reflection on Gendered Expectations
The post reminded many of the 2011 film I Don’t Know How She Does It, starring Sarah Jessica Parker. The comparison is hard to ignore, especially when considering the outdated premise that women must “juggle” their lives to the point of breakdown. The tagline, “If it were easy, men would do it too,” feels even more out of place in 2026, as it perpetuates the idea that caregiving is inherently a woman’s responsibility.
This gendered trope continues to reinforce the notion that women are the default managers of household chaos. Even though a lot has changed since the 1990s, the framing of the “juggle” as a “mum problem” keeps the burden on women, rather than addressing the structural issues that make it so difficult for families to thrive.
The Need for Systemic Change
The ABC responded to the backlash, acknowledging the feedback and promising to consider the points raised in future reporting. This highlights the power of social media comments to drive change and encourage more inclusive conversations.
As a “working mum,” the author hopes that the focus will shift from asking how parents “get it all done” to advocating for a system that supports families in a meaningful way. This includes workplace flexibility as a baseline for everyone, school hours that align with the realities of modern life, and policies that truly support families rather than merely accommodating them.
The real solution lies in a whole-of-society overhaul. It’s time to stop treating the “juggle” as an individual problem and start fighting for a system that makes sense for the way we live now.
