Balancing Work and Family Life
Mother’s Day, celebrated on 10th May, traditionally focuses on showing gratitude to mothers. However, for many women, it also underscores the importance of autonomy in shaping their work and personal lives.
Women often juggle multiple roles, combining paid employment with household responsibilities. Rising living costs and increasing food prices have added pressure to this balance. As a result, many women are rethinking their work-life integration.
In recent years, the burden within this balance has intensified. With the cost of living rising significantly, food has emerged as a major expense. The mental load of planning, shopping, and feeding a household has grown as well.
Some women are not stepping away from work but are reconsidering how it fits into their lives. Models offering flexibility, local connection, and financial contribution without a rigid schedule are gaining interest.
Box Divvy, a social enterprise, provides a solution by offering flexible work models through neighbourhood food Hubs. This allows individuals to manage weekly grocery distributions, earning an income while accessing affordable food.
Box Divvy’s Impact on Households
Lucy Barnham, a Hub coordinator in the Blue Mountains, finds Box Divvy beneficial. With three children aged 17, 20, and 23 at home, the model helps her manage household expenses and provides additional income without a rigid schedule.
“Young men in particular can eat you out of house and home! You want to make sure there is always good food there, but it is not always easy to keep that affordable,” she says.
What started as a practical solution for Barnham has evolved, with around 80% of her household’s food now coming through the network, reducing costs and altering their eating habits.
The structure of Box Divvy offers significant flexibility, allowing work to be organised around existing commitments. This flexibility is crucial for many women who need to balance family responsibilities with financial contributions.
Jayne Travers-Drapes, Co-founder of Box Divvy, highlights the combination of income, flexibility, and community connection as reasons behind the model’s growth. “For some, it is extra income. For others, it is about having something of their own, while still being present for everything else,” she says.
The Hubs also create a consistent point of contact within the community, offering regular, low-pressure connection for those spending more time at home.
As Mother’s Day approaches, while appreciation remains a focus, the evolving ways in which women manage their roles and responsibilities are increasingly in the spotlight.
Last updated: 5 May 2026, 7:19 pm
