Actress and singer Keke Palmer recently spoke openly about the pressures and double standards surrounding motherhood and career in an interview with Parents magazine. She emphasized how the widely felt guilt among working parents should not be accepted as inevitable, especially when financial necessities require parents to work.
Palmer, 31, who shares her 2-year-old son Leo with former football player Darius Jackson, highlighted her belief that parents should not carry the undue burden of guilt for balancing work and childcare responsibilities.
Challenges and Realities of Balancing Work and Parenthood
Palmer pointed out that many families today face economic pressures that make it essential for parents to maintain employment. She encouraged parents to avoid feeling shame about needing help with childcare or choosing to continue working.
“Your child is your child because you were meant to be their parent. And as a working parent, it could be really, really hard because you’re wondering like, ‘Damn, is this good for me and my child?’” —Keke Palmer
“The reality is, if you got to work, you got to work,”
she said.
“Just don’t feel guilt where it pertains to receiving help with your child, because it takes a village. I think that’s important, and especially in this economy where everybody’s got to go to work.” —Keke Palmer
Motherhood’s Role in Shaping Personal Priorities
Palmer also discussed how becoming a mother has helped her establish clearer personal boundaries in the unpredictable entertainment industry. She shared that having a child encourages prioritizing what truly matters for one’s well-being, especially amid the industry’s ups and downs.
“I think a lot of times you can feel like you got to do this, or you got to do that, or you feel like that you can’t make a choice, especially in this kind of industry where it’s up and down,”
Palmer said.
“But when you have a child that needs you, it’s easier for you to prioritise what is best for your sense of self.” —Keke Palmer
The Growing Conversation on Working Parents and Mental Load
Palmer’s insights contribute to a broader dialogue as more working parents across various fields share their struggles with balancing caregiving duties and career demands. Her perspective encourages a healthier view on parenting, work, and the support systems needed in today’s economic climate.
