This study was conducted using a phenomenological methodology to explore the lived experiences and limitations of childcare as perceived by working mothers and to gain a deeper understanding of their meanings. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with ten working mothers who were simultaneously managing both work and childcare. Each participant participated in a 60-minute, one-on-one interview. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed following Giorgi’s four-step method. As a result, 17 significant statements, eight revealed themes, and four essential themes were derived. The findings indicated that, first, balancing work and parenting is experienced as a complex process in which time, roles, and emotions overlap, rather than merely fulfilling multiple roles. Second, participants recognized situational, social, and institutional limitations that are difficult to overcome through individual effort alone. Third, they emphasized the need for external support, family-friendly organizational cultures, changes in social perception, and policy improvements to overcome these limitations. Fourth, managing work and parenting was perceived as a meaningful experience that sustains personal identity, promotes individual growth, and facilitates the discovery of new values. This study confirms that the parenting experiences of working mothers are not solely matters of personal choice or capability but are influenced by a complex interplay of social, institutional, and organizational factors. The findings suggest that social discourse and institutional and policy improvements are necessary to shift the perception of parenting from an individual burden to a shared social responsibility.
