Ep 3. Working Mother

Designing Women was an American television sitcom that aired from 1986 to 1993. The show followed the lives of four women who worked together at an Atlanta-based interior design firm. In season 5, episode 3, titled "Working Mother," the women of Sugarbaker's Design Firm tackled issues of working motherhood.

The episode opens with the ladies of Sugarbaker's gathered around their conference table, discussing their upcoming project designing a playroom for a wealthy client's children. Julia (Dixie Carter), the firm's founder and matriarch, quickly realizes that her team is short-staffed and needs to hire an additional designer. Enter Suzanne (Delta Burke), the firm's glamorous and often self-absorbed former partner, who has been struggling to find work since leaving Sugarbaker's.

Julia is hesitant to hire Suzanne, knowing full well the challenges of working alongside her unpredictable temperament. However, she ultimately relents and brings Suzanne on board, much to the chagrin of her colleagues Mary Jo (Annie Potts) and Charlene (Jean Smart).

As the new team gets to work on the playroom project, Julia begins to notice how much motherhood is impacting her employees. Charlene is struggling to keep up with the demands of daycare for her young daughter, Olivia, while Mary Jo is struggling to balance work and being a single mother to her teenage son, Quinton.

Feeling overwhelmed, Mary Jo confides in Julia, expressing her concern that she is not doing enough to support her son. Julia gently reassures her that she is doing the best she can and that Quinton will appreciate her efforts in the long run.

Meanwhile, Suzanne is dealing with her own issues around motherhood. Despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she becomes increasingly attached to a young boy she meets while working on the playroom project. This newfound maternal instinct leaves Suzanne questioning her priorities in life and wondering if she is capable of being a good mother.

Throughout the episode, the women of Sugarbaker's grapple with the challenges of working motherhood, questioning whether it is possible to have it all. Charlene ultimately decides to quit her job to focus on her daughter's needs, while Mary Jo acknowledges the sacrifices she has had to make as a working mother.

As the episode concludes, Julia reflects on the importance of supporting working mothers, both in her own life and in her business. She realizes that the design firm must become more family-friendly if it wants to attract and retain top talent. With her usual wit and determination, Julia sets out to make Sugarbaker's a more supportive and inclusive workplace for all mothers.

Overall, "Working Mother" is a touching and thoughtful exploration of the unique challenges faced by working mothers. The episode highlights the importance of compassion and understanding in the workplace, as well as the need for more family-friendly policies and practices in modern organizations.