It’s often misunderstood as a long, relaxing holiday, but maternity leave is no walk in the park. Child birth by itself is a revelation, but throw in fatigue and sleepless nights and you quickly realise that taking care of a little human is probably the most challenging thing you will ever do.
Many women wonder how they will cope once they’re back at work. Luckily, working mums find that caring for a baby has helped their careers, whether it means prioritising certain tasks over others, learning to manage time better, or simply saying NO to unnecessary things.
Find out how being a mum can help you achieve career success:
You can take on anything – And by that we mean everything. First there’s the physically demanding job of childbirth, then there’s this wee bub who relies on you for milk, nappy changes and other life sustaining essentials. And unlike a civilized and consistent work environment, babies don’t come with instruction manuals or rules.
Dealing with the demands of a newborn can help you deal with pressure at work, as well as plan and foresee for potential problems.
You’re more efficient – Working a full-time job and ensuring quality time with baby forces women to work more efficiently. This means meticulous planning both at home and in the office, but it also means having lunch at your desk, taking fewer breaks and cutting down on water cooler conversations.
New priorities – Because you’ve got bigger things going on in your life, office politics and gossip take a backseat. Equally though, you learn to say no to demanding bosses and unnecessary tasks. Having said that, being a mom also stimulates your empathy hormones, which means you’re more likely to help and mentor colleagues.
Negotiating skills – Having a newborn was tough and challenging, but wait until your baby starts talking and you’re spending most of your time manoeuvring demands for new toys and treats!
Whether it’s negotiating a deal, pay rise or promotion, putting these new skills to use at the office has surprising benefits for mums.
