Empowering Professional Growth: Lessons from Maternity Leave for Moms Returning to Work
As I return from an extended maternity leave, I find myself standing at the crossroads of my career, reflecting on the transformative journey that motherhood has taken me on. With a decade of experience in B2B and SaaS marketing under my belt, I was well-prepared for the corporate world. However, nothing could have readied me for the profound experience of becoming a mom, let alone a mom of two. In this blog, I'll share the invaluable lessons I've learned during my maternity leave and how they've shaped me into a more resilient, resourceful professional. Whether you're a mom returning to work after one, two, or even twenty years, I hope this blog empowers you to feel confident as you re-enter the workforce because you've already tackled one of the most challenging roles out there. Here are some key reminders of the skills you've gained through motherhood that are undeniably transferable to the professional world.
1. Managing Expectations: Prioritizing and Balancing
In the corporate world, being a team player often meant overcommitting and juggling numerous projects simultaneously. However, parenthood brings with it an entirely different set of responsibilities, emphasizing the need to learn to say 'no' to tasks that are beyond your available time and energy. Parenthood underscores the importance of prioritizing family and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It teaches us the value of honesty and authenticity in managing our commitments. As moms, we continually find creative solutions to ensure we accomplish tasks even with limited bandwidth. Our journey as moms teaches us to say 'yes' to what truly matters.
2. Time Management: Mastering the Art of Multitasking
Every mom can attest to the fact that efficient time management becomes an art form after having children. The multitasking skills we hone while caring for our kids, managing the household, preparing meals, staying connected with family and friends, organizing playdates, attending birthday parties, and handling school pick-ups and drop-offs are the kind of multitasking skills any employer would value in their employees. The ability to make the most of every moment is a priceless skill that we should be eager to bring back to our professional lives.
3. Staying Calm Under Pressure: The Art of Prioritization
In my pre-motherhood career, I believed that presenting to demanding stakeholders was a stressful experience. However, becoming a mom of two opened my eyes to an entirely new level of stress management. When you have two little ones needing your attention simultaneously, multiple times a day, you quickly learn to prioritize and efficiently manage 'must-do' tasks. Looking back, handling senior stakeholders now seems like a walk in the park compared to navigating the complex emotions of two toddlers. This newfound ability to stay calm under pressure undoubtedly makes us more composed and effective professionals.
4. Self-Awareness: Embracing Authenticity
Returning to work as a mom means bringing to the table a confident and self-aware individual who embraces their most authentic self. There's simply no room for anything less when you're a working mom. Motherhood instills a deep sense of self-awareness and a commitment to authenticity.
As working moms return to their careers, they bring with them the wisdom gained from their maternity leave experiences, ready to conquer new challenges. Let's celebrate each other and empower ourselves to step into the working world with pure confidence, knowing that our employers are gaining employees capable of achieving remarkable feats.
Celebrate the journey of motherhood and the professional growth it brings. Whether you've been a mom for one year or twenty, remember that you are a powerhouse of skills and experience that the corporate world can benefit from. Welcome back to the workforce, moms!