Lived Experiences of Employed Mothers Raising Toddlers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study evaluates the lived experiences of employed mothers raising toddlers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It explores the experiences of employed mothers navigating childcare in the settings of changing gender roles, rapid urbanization, and limited institutional support. Although the essential developmental requirements of children between the ages of one and three are well acknowledged, there has been less focus on the emotional and practical challenges faced by mothers managing both work and caregiving responsibilities. The study was inspired by the shortage of research tailored to African, urban, especially in areas where formal childcare options are limited and cultural norms emphasize the importance of a mother’s presence and used qualitative phenomenological methodology. Data was collected through in depth, semi-structured interviews conducted with ten employed mothers in Addis Ababa raising toddlers between the ages of one and three years, who were chosen through purposeful sampling and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was done. The findings revealed four key themes: (1) persistent role conflict and emotional distress, e.g., guilt, concern, and social criticism; (2) adaptive coping strategies such as time management, in-formal support systems, and reframing of emotions; (3) transformation in maternal identity through resilience and restructuring of success; and (4) perceived impact on toddler development, particularly in emotional attachment and quality of stand-in care. These interactions underscore the trade-offs mothers consistently need to make within the context of weak institutional systems and high cultural demands. The study concluded that without responsive and culturally appropriate interventions, both maternal health and child development remain at risk. It recommends policy actions such as expanding access to well-regulated and low-cost childcare provisions, promoting flexible workspaces, and establishing community-based support systems reflecting the life circumstances of working mothers in Ethiopian urban setting.
Keywords: Working Mothers; Toddler Care; Role Conflict; Coping Mechanisms; Ethiopia
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Keywords
Working Mothers, Toddler Care, Role Conflict, Coping Mechanisms, Ethiopia