A Crisis That Hits Home for Working Mothers
Gallup’s new research confirms what many working mothers have known for years: the pandemic didn’t just disrupt school schedules; it fundamentally changed childhood. Children missed out on crucial developmental milestones, social interactions, and structured learning, leaving many struggling to rebuild friendships, regulate emotions, and manage anxiety (Gallup, 2024.)
For working moms, the emotional and social setbacks of the pandemic are not just statistics; they are daily realities. Many mothers now juggle professional demands while navigating their children’s lingering social struggles and mental health challenges. Balancing work, home life, and the emotional labor of helping children recover has become an added layer of pressure in an already demanding world.
What does this mean for working mothers, and how can they help their children rebuild confidence while maintaining their own well-being? Let’s explore the challenges of post-pandemic childhood and real-world solutions for working moms who are stretched thin yet determined to support their kids.
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The Social Struggles: Why Kids Are Finding It Harder to Connect
Before the pandemic, children developed social skills naturally through play, classroom interactions, and group activities. These daily experiences helped them build friendships, read body language, resolve conflicts, and collaborate.
When schools closed, those interactions disappeared overnight. Remote learning, social distancing, and increased screen time changed how children experience socialization. Even now, as routines return to normal, many children struggle with:
- Making and maintaining friendships
- Navigating group dynamics without anxiety
- Managing emotions in social settings
- Reading and responding to social cues appropriately
What Working Moms Are Seeing at Home
Many mothers report that their children are:
- More socially withdrawn than before
- Struggling to engage in unstructured social interactions
- More reliant on digital communication over in-person friendships
- Showing signs of social anxiety in new environments
A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that children who experienced prolonged isolation during the pandemic displayed weaker social adaptation skills compared to pre-pandemic cohorts (Loades et al., 2021).
For working moms, this means not only navigating their own professional responsibilities but also constantly monitoring their children’s social and emotional development, often with limited time and resources.
The Mental Health Toll: Why Anxiety and Depression Are on the Rise
The pandemic didn’t just alter social development—it took a major toll on children’s mental health. The abrupt shift to remote learning, the stress of uncertainty, and increased parental anxiety created an emotional storm that many children are still processing.
The CDC reported a 24 percent increase in emergency room visits for mental health issues among children aged 5-11 during the pandemic (CDC, 2022).
For working moms, the emotional burden of supporting a child with anxiety or depression is an invisible load. Managing work deadlines while helping a child cope with meltdowns, social fears, or emotional breakdowns can feel overwhelming.
The biggest contributing factors include:
- Loss of routine
Many children still struggle to adjust to structure. - Parental stress
Kids absorb household anxieties, including financial worries or job stress. - Increased screen time
Excessive digital exposure has been linked to higher anxiety and depression in children (Twenge & Campbell, 2018). - Grief and loss
Many families lost loved ones, compounding emotional stress.
Mothers, who often serve as the emotional anchors of the household, are bearing much of this weight while still trying to maintain professional momentum.
How Can Working Moms Help Their Children Recover?
For many working mothers, the question isn’t whether their children need extra support—it’s how to provide that support while juggling work and life responsibilities.
1. Prioritize Quality Time Over Quantity
Many moms feel guilty about not spending enough time with their kids, but studies show that quality matters more than quantity. When time is limited, making intentional, engaged moments with your child can be just as impactful.
- Create tech-free moments where conversation and connection take priority
- Engage in small daily check-ins—even 10 minutes of undistracted listening can make a difference
- Encourage shared activities like cooking together, taking walks, or reading before bed
What not to do: Overcompensate by overscheduling playdates or activities that add stress rather than meaningful interaction.
2. Encourage Real-Life Socialization
If your child is struggling to connect socially, intentional exposure to real-world interactions can help.
- Plan playdates or outings with a small group of familiar peers
- Encourage participation in sports, clubs, or extracurricular activities
- If your child is hesitant, ease them in gradually with structured social opportunities
What not to do: Force immediate social interactions if your child isn’t ready; social confidence builds over time.
3. Model Healthy Emotional Expression
Children often mirror their parents’ emotional responses. If they see you processing stress in a healthy way, they are more likely to adopt those habits.
- Normalize conversations about emotions by discussing daily highs and lows
- Teach simple stress-management techniques like deep breathing or journaling
- If you feel overwhelmed, be honest about it in an age-appropriate way
What not to do: Dismiss their feelings with phrases like “You’ll be fine” or “Just get over it”; acknowledgment is key to building resilience.
4. Find Small Ways to Reduce Screen Time
While screens became a survival tool during the pandemic, many children developed an overreliance on digital communication. Helping them transition back to real-world interactions is important.
- Implement gradual screen-free periods rather than abrupt restrictions
- Replace screen time with engaging, hands-on activities
- Set family-wide screen boundaries so children don’t feel singled out
What not to do: Completely ban screens overnight; this can create more resistance than balance.
5. Seek Professional Help Without Shame
If your child is showing signs of severe social anxiety, depression, or emotional distress, therapy can provide valuable support.
- School counselors can help children navigate social reintegration
- Support groups can help normalize their experiences and provide peer connection
- Therapy can help children develop coping skills for anxiety and stress
What not to do: Assume they will “grow out of it” if signs of distress persist.
A New Chapter for Working Moms and Their Children
Gallup’s research makes it clear that the pandemic fundamentally changed childhood, and working mothers are now carrying the added responsibility of helping their kids rebuild social and emotional skills while managing their own professional lives.
The pressure is real, but the good news is that small, intentional efforts can make a lasting impact. Supporting children doesn’t have to mean huge sacrifices or perfect parenting; it means showing up, listening, and making space for their emotions and growth.
Mothers are not alone in this challenge. Schools, communities, and workplaces all have a role to play in ensuring that children—and the parents raising them—get the support they need.
References
Gallup. (2025). Pandemic Hurt Children’s Social Skills and Mental Health.
Loades, M. E., Chatburn, E., Higson-Sweeney, N., Reynolds, S., Shafran, R., & Brigden, A. (2021). The Impact of Social Isolation on Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
CDC. (2022). Children’s Mental Health Report.
Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). The Age of Anxiety? Birth Cohort Change in Anxiety and Neuroticism, 1952-2012. Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
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