Every year on Mother’s Day, social media feeds fill with tributes to moms for their strength, patience, and sacrifice. But after the flowers wilt and the brunch plates are cleared, working moms return to a reality that often lacks the very support they deserve.
The truth is, working motherhood is more than a balancing act … it’s a high-wire tightrope walk with no safety net.
Consider this:
- 73% of U.S. workers are caregivers, and mothers often shoulder the heaviest load
- According to our 2025 Cost of Care Report, the average parent is managing five different care arrangements–child care, senior care, pet care, and more
- 83% of employees paying for family care say caregiving challenges exacerbate their risk of burnout, and 78% report elevated stress levels at work because of it
Motherhood shouldn’t be a risk factor for burnout at work. But it is.
The silent strain on working moms
The burden isn’t just logistical. It’s deeply emotional. Our data shows that moms:
- Lose sleep (90%)
- Experience health issues (71%)
- Even consider self-harm or suicide (29%)
These are not just stats. They’re alarm bells. And they’re an invitation for employers to act.
The benefits that actually move the needle
Caregiving stress may be inevitable—but feeling overwhelmed and unsupported at work shouldn’t be.
For working moms, the stress doesn’t start when they clock in, and it doesn’t end when they clock out. It’s 24/7. From coordinating child care and school pick-ups to managing household logistics and caring for aging parents, the load is constant. But when employers offer the right kind of support, that stress becomes more manageable, and the ripple effects are powerful.
Employers may not be able to erase the emotional weight of motherhood, but they can ease the burden. They can create a culture where moms don’t feel like they have to choose between their career and their caregiving responsibilities.
And the business case is clear:
Reduced burnout = increased retention
According to our research, approximately 1 in 5 employees have left a job due to lack of family care benefits (19%). Others say child care (18%) or senior care (20%) offerings could sway them to switch employers.
Lower costs, higher ROI
Turnover costs range from 50 to 200%1 of an employee’s salary. Providing benefits that support moms is a smart strategy.
Boosted productivity and loyalty
Employees with care benefits report 45% higher productivity, 40% lower absenteeism, and nearly $1,000 in average out-of-pocket savings on care annually.
What working moms really need
At Care for Business, we partner with top employers, giving them a suite of benefits designed to meet moms where they are … without assuming their needs are one-size-fits-all.
Here’s how to support working moms today and every day:
Offer Backup Care
When regular care arrangements fall through (and it inevitably will with a nanny off sick or a daycare day off), reliable backup child and senior care can be the difference between showing up or calling out.
- What we offer: Backup Care providers for children, seniors, and even pets
Support house and self care
The to-do list never ends. Offer access to help around the home–from house cleaners to errand runners–to reduce burnout and free up time.
- What we offer: Care.com Membership makes finding help for the home easier, more affordable, and trustworthy
Create space for breastfeeding
Lactation support and workplace accommodations help moms return to work without sacrificing their infant’s health or their own well-being.
- What we offer: Breastfeeding support, from educational resources to finding local consultants
Real help from a real human
Sometimes what moms need most is a conversation with someone who understands the care landscape: someone who can listen, cut through the overwhelm, and guide them toward real solutions.
From finding a last-minute gluten-free birthday cake to navigating senior care, having access to a knowledgeable, compassionate expert can make all the difference in a parent’s day … and their ability to stay focused and present at work.
- What we offer: Care Specialists, real people ready to guide your employees through simple-but-time-consuming tasks like finding a dentist to complex care decisions for a neurodiverse kid
Three ways to start supporting moms today
- Audit your caregiving benefits. Are they just perks on paper or tools employees truly use?
- Educate and communicate. Make sure moms know what benefits are available and that leaders are trained to encourage usage without stigma.
- Start with empathy. Acknowledge that caregiving is real work and integrate that recognition into your culture.
One day in May isn’t enough
Working moms don’t need more platitudes. They need policies.
They don’t need more praise. They need support.
This Mother’s Day, let’s make the workplace work for them… not just in theory, but in practice.
Get in touch to explore smarter caregiving benefits.
- The Myth of Replaceability: Preparing for the Loss of Key Employees, SHRM, 2025.
