Working mothers constantly feel torn between corporate culture and school calendars. In this episode, HR specialist Silke Rathbone honestly speaks about many issues moms face in the workplace. We talk about trust, flexibility in practice (not just policy), fairness in promotions and why open communication with HR can change everything.

If you’re a working mom feeling torn between office expectations and family responsibilities, this episode will help you understand:

• How workplace flexibility really works (and where it falls short)

• Why performance should be measured by output — not hours at your desk

• How burnout, emotional labour and “invisible work” impact promotions

• What HR’s true role is in supporting employees and protecting the business

• How leave policies are evolving for modern families

• How to advocate for yourself in conversations about hybrid work, sick leave and career growth

This episode is for moms who dream of their corporate and family worlds coexisting. It’s for leaders who want to build better workplace policies. And it’s for HR professionals who genuinely care about the future of work.

🎧 Brave enough to hear the truth? Hit play.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Navigating the Dual Calendars of Working Moms

02:43 The Shift in Corporate Culture Post-COVID

05:41 Building a Culture of Trust in the Workplace

07:25 Measuring Performance Beyond Clock Watching

09:21 The Role of HR in Supporting Flexibility

12:09 Addressing Burnout and Emotional Labor

14:42 Bridging the Gap Between Corporate and School Calendars

17:30 Flexibility and Family Responsibility Leave

19:28 Rethinking Leave Policies for Modern Families

21:45 Ensuring Fairness in Promotions and Opportunities

23:16 Creating Open Conversations with HR

26:07 Hope for the Future of Work for Moms

Subscribe for more honest conversations about ambition, identity, burnout and redefining the rules for modern working mothers.

Follow MOMents Omnimedia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moments_omnimedia/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moments_omnimedia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572218987263&locale=mt_MT#

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moments-omnimedia

Website: https://www.momentsmedia.co.za/

Without fail, every guest on The MOMents Podcast has highlighted how valuable a community, a village or mom friends can be. But what if you’re parenting without support?

Maybe you live far from grandparents, your circle is very small (or non-existent) and you don’t have the time or energy to make friends. Making connections as adults is hard enough, right?

Kate Tovsen, founder of the Society of Working Moms in the US, knows this firsthand, she lives far from family too. In this episode, Madge discovers how to build connections, both IRL and online, even when you’re overwhelmed, shy or exhausted.

Key Takeaways:

• Modern community looks different from the past.

• Moms need spaces to celebrate wins and share struggles.

• Reciprocity is key to building lasting relationships.

• Networking can be community-driven, not just formal events.

• No-pressure invites reduce social stress while building connection.
  

Chapters:

00:00 – Building Modern Communities for Moms

12:02 – Navigating Support Networks

23:45 – Creating Professional Connections

29:52 – Reflections on Motherhood

Join the Conversation: Are you part of a mom community? Share your experiences in the comments!

Follow MOMents Omnimedia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moments_omnimedia/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moments_omnimedia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572218987263&locale=mt_MT#

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moments-omnimedia

Website: https://www.momentsmedia.co.za/

In this episode, Madge Booth sits down with Paige Connell to unpack the mental load – all the invisible thinking, planning and organising that falls on moms.

They talk about why this work is so draining, how to put words to it and practical ways to share the load at home.

Paige shares insights on trust, teamwork and systems that make managing household responsibilities easier, plus the challenges single parents face and how we can prepare the next generation for fair partnerships.

You’ll learn:

How to articulate the invisible work so it gets shared

Why feeling defensive in these conversations is normalHow gender roles and societal expectations shape household dynamics

Tips for creating systems that reduce stress

How to teach kids about fairness and shared responsibility

This isn’t just a conversation, it’s a tool to help explain why you feel overwhelmed and how to start sharing the load.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Mental Load

02:47 Communicating the Invisible Work

04:48 Defensiveness and Gender Roles

07:08 Societal Expectations and Parenting

10:23 Trust and Control in Household Management

12:30 The Work of Parenting vs. Relationship Dynamics

14:58 Creating a System for Managing the Mental Load

17:12 Navigating Solo Parenting Challenges

19:53 Preparing the Next Generation

23:16 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Follow MOMents Omnimedia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moments_omnimedia/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moments_omnimedia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572218987263&locale=mt_MT#

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moments-omnimedia

Website: https://www.momentsmedia.co.za/