7 WAY S M O T H E R I N G C U LT I VAT E S Y O U R C A R E E R S K I L L S E T

C R E AT E D B Y S U S I E A L M A N E I H

What valuable career attributes come out of the parenthood experience? Which are important to include on a resume?

1. Superior time management skills

Having children inherently causes you to be more strategic with limited time because babies are happier on a schedule. Moms get used to maximizing naptime, and procrastination is

something new moms quickly outgrow. Quick, concerted bursts of productivity support more efficient output, and parents recognize that time is a precious commodity, so they become

better at plotting out concentrated chunks of time to get their work done.

2. Increased ingenuity

Having a baby is identity changing; it’s a real confidence booster to give birth to a whole new human, and motherhood is entrepreneurial by nature. You have to get crafty as a

parent, and it’s almost a reflex to look around and see how you can do something better, solve a problem, or make a daily task more convenient. Mothers have patented and improved upon many inventions, launching a whole new level of ease in modern life.

3. Multitasking master

Moms need to be able to multitask, stay organized, and attend to the demands of many people at once. These are crucial skills for employees in almost any line of work. Performing multiple

tasks like supervising your children, paying bills, and organizing and maintaining your household are all mom skills that help develop the ability to prioritize and juggle multiple responsibilities. In a

recent study, 59% of employers state that moms excel at this invaluable skill.

4. Managerial skills put to work

When you’re negotiating with your three-year-old over using the potty, it may not feel like you’re earning a graduate degree. But “early parenting is the perfect boot camp for learning how to

manage employees,” says Shari Storm, author of Motherhood Is the New MBA. Moms learn fast to effectively allocate tasks, and permanently be on their feet with strong decision-making skills.

5. Strength in Sympathy

Having children teaches you the important art of sympathy, a skill that’s priceless in the workplace. As mothers, we have plenty of practice helping our children navigate their feelings, and while our

vocabulary for the workplace is obviously more sophisticated, the same principles apply. Actively listening and trying to anticipate employee needs helps them feel supported and effective. Being a

good boss doesn’t mean getting lost in others’ emotions, it just means making space for their experience so they can process and move on.

6. Team motivation

As a parent, you excel in the role of personal motivator to your child’s aspirations. Encouraging their progress and using feedback and positive reinforcement are great tools not just at home, but also with your co-workers. Be careful to never sound condescending to a

colleague, but remember that enthusiasm can maximize their abilities.

7. Last but not least – patience

About 67% of 2,138 employers in a recent CareerBuilder poll named “patience” as the number one trait that makes parents attractive as job candidates. Every mother needs to continually develop patience in teaching and training her

children, and once you’ve worked on that skill at home, it’s a whole lot easier in the workplace.