What is a supermom anyway? Good old Google says that a supermom is “an exemplary or exceptional mother, especially one who successfully manages a home and brings up children while also having a full-time job.”
Lately, I have read a lot of media that says the supermom is dead. “You don’t have to do it all anymore,” they say.
Of course, I don’t. But what if you want to do it all? I want to be an extraordinary, career-driven woman, and I want to be an extraordinary, present mom—and I don’t want to sacrifice either. I want happiness, too. Too much to ask? I don’t think so.
I conducted a survey of nearly 200 moms in preparation for my book, Secrets of Supermom: How Extraordinary Moms Succeed at Work and Home & How You Can, Too, and I learned many secrets. I learned about moms and their struggles, their tools, their strategies, their wins, and…well, all the things!
And guess what? I am here to tell you that the supermom is alive and well!
Of the moms that completed the survey, 66% related to the term “supermom”. In some way, they felt like a supermom, even if only in one area of their life.
In this post, I share all sorts of fascinating details from the survey in a fun infographic. Definitely check that out!
Here are some of the things that the moms who responded thought defined a supermom, and many of them felt like they were doing a pretty darn good job at being one.
“A supermom is a mom who can juggle all of the challenges that come with being a mom. It is one who can be there to support her children’s social and emotional well-being, manage household needs, manage a career, be a friend and a wife. One who can manage them all while keeping an upbeat, positive attitude, at least for the most part!”
“A mom who takes care of her child(ren) to the best of her ability while still pursuing her personal goals and knowing she’s capable of doing both!”
“I think it can be different things. It can be a single mom that works and a stay-at-home mom. It’s relative. Some moms maybe need more “me” time to be a great mom. Others maybe thrive on doing class parties and acting as team mom and not getting any sleep.”
“A mom that has achieved great success in raising her children and success in work and personal happiness.”
“To me, a Supermom is someone who pulls off the whole thing— works full time, makes the lunches, has the house clean by self or delegation, can help kids with their homework, tucks them in at night with meaningful conversation. Then spends time with her husband in between and around that in the morning and evening.“
“A mom who juggles momming, personal life, professional life, and mental health life.”
“A mom who takes care of business and runs the house like a boss all while attempting to find balance and have a social life.”
“Any mom doing their best!”
“Supermom is someone who works with full energy and dedication for her kids and family and also fulfills her own dreams, even with a storm in her heart. She’s always dedicated towards achieving best for herself and her family.”
“Your focus is family first and how to make them successful each and every day.”
“Someone who is able to balance work life and GENUINE time with children. I think children and their behaviors are a reflection of their parent’s time and affection. So a super mom has that balance.”
“A supermom is a master at multi-tasking home, work and kids.”
“I consider a supermom a woman that works, tends to the home, super involved with the kids/family, works at maintaining friendships, and somewhere in all of that still tries to rest and do a bit of self-care!”
“Every mom who gives it her all!”
Even though the large majority of moms associated at least in one way to the term supermom, around 34% of moms didn’t relate. Those moms that didn’t relate said that supermoms:
- Are Perfect
- Always do it all without any help
- Set unrealistic goals to be like other moms
- Never say no
- Never sleep
- Do too much and are always on the verge of burnout
- Put everyone else over herself
- Are overworked and over-busy
- Never make mistakes
- Always “have it all together”
Wow! No wonder they don’t associate. Those characteristics would make life feel impossible, unhappy and overwhelming.
I absolutely consider myself a supermom even though I definitely don’t do it all, definitely make mistakes and definitely don’t have it all together. To me, being a supermom is a result of learning how to be confident, how to ask for help and how to manage my time to get the big things done. In my book, I dive deeper into these concepts and so many more. I believe that anyone can have a career they love and a family they love, while maintaining joy and calm.
To find out more about The Supermom Survey, check out this infographic post.
To find out more about the book Secrets of Supermom, click here!
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