The Best States for Working Moms

The Best States for Working MomsWorking moms have it rough. They never feel like theyre spending enough time at work, and they never feel like theyre spending enough time with their kids. And theyre in the majority. Over 70% of mothers with children under 18 are either working or looking for work in this country right now. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) In order to be a working parent, you need resources some flexibility, a decent maternity leave, and a solid child-care system are only a few. These might seem like givens, but the fact is thatthere are some geographical regions that are friendlier to the working moms particular needsand some that are well, leid friendly.We know most of you dont have the flexibility to up and move to a place that might better suit your family life, but if youre looking for a place to plant roots, or are wondering if your state perches at the top or sits at the bottom, read on.Who Has It Best?Weighing crit eria like child care, professional opportunities and work-like balance, WalletHub analyzed a ton of research and data sets for all 50 states (and D.C.) and determined the best places for working moms to live. The study was scored on 13 different metrics including day-care quality and cost, gender pay gaps, families in poverty, commute times, and parental leave. And weighted so that things like child-care were weighted most.So wheres the best place to live if youre a working Mom? Turns out? VermontThis New England state ranked well among all of the different criteria, positiv it boasts the highest number of pediatricians per 100,000 residents. It also boasts the 6th highest ratio of female to male executives61% And unemployment for females is low, at only 3.1%. Vermont has good child care support and most people living there claim a pretty good work-life balance.Minnesota and New Jersey were next in line. Minnesota has excellent professional opportunities for women, while New Jersey scores high for its child care options.New York came in 9thand came in first for day-care systems (though also one of the most expensive), and fifth for lowest gender pay gap. But other factors outrank it (mostly cost of living). Hawaii, notably, boasts the lowest gender pay gap around. And South Dakota, surprisingly, the highest female to male executive ratio.Who Doesnt Have It So Great?Alabama, Louisiana, and Nevada sit at the bottom of the list. While female unemployment in Vermont rests at 3.1 percent, in Alabama its two times higher at 6.2 percent. Also, Alabama only has 7 pediatricians per 100,000 residents. And while Alabama and Louisiana are in the top 5 for Lowest Child Care Costs, they sit in the bottom 5 for Worst Day Care Systems and Highest Gender Pay Gap.Until government and employee policies are updated to reflect the changing needs of the working family, flexible work policies arent likely to improve dramatically, and many (if not most) American families will be left in the lurch. So if moving to Vermont just isnt feasible, be aware of what your state does and does not offer, and work to lobby your representatives to represent your best interests.