If you’re looking at heading back to work or even starting your own business, you might actually find that the mom skills can be incredibly useful in the workplace.
Choosing to go back to work after having kids to tough. But, many of us do it. Many families today can’t afford to have one parent stay at home full-time and have no choice but to return to work. For others, there is a choice, but they want to earn their own money and have a little financial freedom. For some moms, the decision has no financial motivation. They want to work to get out of the house, to do something for themselves and to regain a little independence. They want to work, they want to earn money, and they want to be themselves again. But, whatever your reasons for going back to work, it can be harder than you might think, especially if you have had a long break while your kids were young.
A gap in your CV is dangerous. Employers are reluctant to hire people that have been out of work. They worry that they won’t have kept up to date with the industry, or they won’t be able to slot back in. They might also worry about flexibility and a mom’s commitment to the workplace. On a personal level, mothers can find it hard to fit back in. They worry that a lot will have changed or that they won’t be able to get back into a working frame of mind. But, if you are looking at heading back to work, or even starting up on your own, you might actually find that your mom skills, those talents that you’ve picked up as a mother to young children, can be incredibly useful in the workplace. You can use these to help you get a job in the first place, talking about them in interviews and highlighting any transferable skills that you’ve picked up along the way. But you can also use them to develop and advance your career. You’ll find that the skills that you’ve picked up as a busy mother can help you not just at work, but in all areas of your life. Here’s a look at some of the skills that you might not even realize that you have.
First Aid
Even without any formal training, as a mom, you’ll have dealt with your fair share of accidents, cuts, bangs, and scrapes. You’ll be great at spotting the signs of danger and avoiding incidents. You’ll know how to quickly and efficiently mop up a wound while calming the victim down and keeping everyone happy. All without panicking or causing unnecessary worry.
In the workplace, you might need to gain a cpr certification online to obtain a formal qualification to develop your knowledge and give you the ability to practice first aid in the workplace. But, with the skills that you’ll already have picked up as a mom, it’ll be a walk in the park.
Organization
One of the greatest skills that any mom can bring to the workplace is organization and time management. As a mom, you have to deal with school runs, lunches, appointments, playdates, swimming lessons, allergies, dinner plans, friends’ events, school shows and more. All while actually looking after your children, taking care of the rest of your family and any household chores.
You are a master at getting things done. You know how long things take, you can prioritize tasks, keep everyone else organized and happy while also getting your own stuff done. You can effectively manage not just your time, but everyone else’s too. You’re great at making lists, keeping to a schedule and doing it all with a smile on your face, while putting out fires, calming tired and grumpy kids, finding emergency snacks, putting plasters on and keeping everyone happy. No matter how busy a day in the office is, it’ll never take as much organization as a day with the kids.
Conflict Management
Another key, transferable skill that you’ll have in abundance is conflict management. Especially if you’ve got more than one child. You’ll have faced arguments and disagreements on a daily basis. Hey, you’ll have faced arguments on an hourly basis. You’ll have dealt with everyone in the house wanting different things, arguing over the same thing, and generally annoying each other.
You’ll know how to keep a cool head when everyone around you is upset and angry. You’ll be great at pulling a disagreement apart and quickly finding a solution that makes everyone happy, without any further upset. And, you’ll be able to do it without making changes to your schedule or the structure of your day.
At work, this skill can be invaluable. You’ll be the peacemaker, the negotiator and the person that can always get the best for everyone. You’ll be the person that people come to when they’ve got a problem that they need help with. The cool head that’s always able to offer advice and support without making things worse.
Working Under Pressure
There’s nothing like life as a mom when it comes to working under pressure and having to adapt to a situation. There are constant changes. There’s mess, shouting, crying, destruction, arguments, whining and moaning. You’ve got to get everyone ready to leave the house at the right time, but no one wants to go. You have to keep a calm and clear head. You have to get everything done, often on your own, under extreme pressure. You do it, every day.
You’ve changed nappies on the go in tiny spaces, you’ve fashioned a new outfit out of what’s in your bag. You’ve devised toys and games when sat on busy trains, and you’ve created sumptuous meals out of almost nothing. You can take whatever life throws at you.
At work, you’ll be able to work well, under all kinds of pressure. You’ll be able to work to tight deadlines in high-pressure situations and still give your best. You’ll also be a calming influence on those around you. You’ll be able to get more out of your workmates and keep them happy, even when pressure levels are high.
Multitasking
Perhaps your greatest skill as a parent is your ability to multitask. You’ve cooked meals while feeding a newborn. Got a toddler dressed while comforting a baby. Fed two kids at the same time. You’ve even done the housework while putting on a show to keep the kids happy. You are fantastic at doing many things at the same time, of juggling multiple tasks and doing them all well.
At work, being able to multitask, while organizing your time and working well under pressure makes you a superhero. In fact, you’ll be able to do even more. If you can get as much as you can done, with a kid on each arm, imagine how much you’ll be able to get done in the workplace, with two free arms.
Quick Thinking
Parents are fabulous at thinking on their feet. Things change all of the time. That to-do list that you’ve painstakingly planned out and organized can very quickly come crashing down and your whole day can be derailed in the blink of an eye. But, it doesn’t stop you. You think on your feet, you make a new plan on the hop, and you keep everyone happy and get everything done that you need to.
In the workplace, this means you can cope with unexpected changes or additions to your schedule. Change does not faze you, you think on your feet, make a new plan and get on with it. You might even find that this is when you work your best and enjoy yourself most.
