We’ve all heard the phrase “Supermom.” She’s the mother who does everything perfectly: cooking three fresh meals a day, keeping the house spotless, managing office deadlines, attending every PTA meeting, keeping her cool, and still showing up at family functions with a smile.
In movies and advertisements, she’s often portrayed as a sari-clad multitasker, the sacrificer, effortlessly balancing work and family while humming in the kitchen.
Sounds inspiring, right? But here’s the truth: the idea of being a supermom is a myth, and it often does more harm than good.
Indian moms, in particular, are under immense pressure to “do it all.” Between cultural expectations, family responsibilities, and personal aspirations, Indian moms are stretched thin whilst expected to be absolutely perfect! It might be helpful to view yourself as a human too, amidst this pressure to be ideal. This article helps put some perspective on this myth.
Where Does the Pressure Come From?
1. Cultural Expectations
In India, motherhood is often glorified as self-sacrifice. From the moment a woman becomes a mother, the unspoken rule is that her needs must come last. Whether it’s ensuring the family is fed, the children’s homework is done, or the in-laws are comfortable, mothers are expected to keep giving without pause.
2. Comparisons with Others
Social media has made this worse. Scroll through Instagram, and you’ll see moms who bake organic cakes, do elaborate DIY crafts with their kids, and still manage glowing skin. It’s easy to feel like you’re not doing enough when you compare yourself to curated online versions of motherhood.
3. Extended Family and Society
Aunts, uncles, neighbors, even random relatives have opinions: “Wow, you’re such a supermom to juggle work and kids!” While it sounds like a compliment, it actually reinforces the expectation that a mother must excel everywhere, without asking for help.
4. Workplace Pressures
For working mothers, the bar is even higher. They’re expected to prove their dedication at work while also showing up as the “ideal mom” at home. Taking a break for family is seen as weakness, and prioritizing work is labeled as selfishness.
What Does This Pressure Do to Moms?
The “supermom” narrative may sound flattering, but it often leaves mothers feeling:
Exhausted: Constant multitasking with little rest leads to burnout.
Guilty: If they focus on work, they feel guilty for not being with their kids. If they focus on home, they feel guilty for not excelling professionally.
Invisible: Their own needs, mental health, hobbies, and dreams get buried under endless to-do lists.
Anxious: The fear of not being “good enough” looms large, leading to stress and self-doubt.
Over time, many mothers internalize these unrealistic standards, forgetting that being human (with limits, flaws, and needs) is perfectly okay.
Why the Supermom Idea is a Myth
The truth is, nobody can do it all, all the time. Every mom you admire has her own struggles, compromises, and moments of doubt. What we often see is just the highlight reel.
Being a “supermom” suggests that a mother must be perfect in every role, as a career woman, caregiver, cook, homemaker, teacher, daughter-in-law, friend, and partner. But perfection is not only impossible, it’s also unnecessary. Children don’t need a flawless mother; they only need a loving, present, and authentic one. They need a mother who allows herself to be a human, too.
A More Realistic Picture of Motherhood
Instead of striving for the unattainable supermom standard, what if we embraced a more honest version of motherhood? Here’s what that could look like:
Asking for help without guilt, whether from a spouse, grandparents, or domestic help.
Letting go of perfectionism. The house doesn’t need to be spotless, the rotis don’t have to be round, and the project doesn’t have to be Pinterest-worthy.
Prioritizing self-care by taking time to rest, pursue hobbies, or just sit quietly with a cup of chai.
Redefining success by not by how much gets done in a day, but by whether you feel connected to yourself and your family.
Teaching kids balance by modeling that it’s okay to rest, to make mistakes, and to ask for support.
How to Break Free from the Supermom Myth
1. Challenge the Narrative
The next time someone calls you “supermom,” pause. Instead of taking it as pressure to live up to the label, reframe it: “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
2. Share the Load
Parenting is a shared responsibility. If you have a partner, involve them equally in childcare and household tasks. Asking for help doesn’t make you less capable; it makes you human.
3. Create Boundaries
Say no when you need to. Whether it’s extra responsibilities at work or unnecessary family expectations, protecting your time and energy is key.
4. Build a Support Circle
Other moms are going through the same struggles. Talking openly without the mask of perfection can be liberating. Support groups, friends, or even online communities can help.
5. Redefine “Good Motherhood”
Good motherhood is not about sacrifice or perfection—it’s about presence, love, and balance. Your child will remember your hugs, laughter, and warmth far more than whether you made three curries every evening.
The myth of being a supermom keeps mothers trapped in endless pressure and guilt. Indian moms, especially, are expected to carry cultural traditions, family duties, and personal aspirations all at once. But the truth is, you don’t have to be a supermom to be a good mom.
You just have to be yourself: imperfect, loving, sometimes tired, sometimes playful, always trying in your own way. That is more than enough.
So the next time you feel the weight of the “supermom” label, take a deep breath and remind yourself: Your kids don’t need a supermom. They just need you.
