Additional Coverage:
- I was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years while homeschooling my kids. I went back to work and realized I had tons of skills. (businessinsider.com)
Local Mom Leaps Back into Workforce After 18 Years, Finds Parenting Skills are Her Secret Weapon
After nearly two decades dedicated to raising her children, a local mom has re-entered the professional world, discovering that her years of parenting have equipped her with a surprising arsenal of workplace skills. Her journey back to work was sparked by an unexpected source: her son’s burgeoning ballet career.
It all began when her then-7-year-old son, captivated by his younger sister’s dance class, asked to join in. What started as an activity quickly blossomed into a profound passion.
She watched as ballet instilled problem-solving through choreography, and by age 14, her son’s performance as Pinocchio revealed a deep artistry. It was then she realized: her son wanted to pursue ballet professionally.
This realization, however, brought a pressing question to the forefront: could they afford it?
Homeschooling and the Ballet Dream
With ten children, the mom and her husband had been homeschooling their kids, a commitment that meant she was a full-time caregiver and educator. As they researched the intense world of professional ballet – summer intensives, competitions, academies, college programs – they learned that many options involved sending children away from home at a young age, a prospect that understandably caused apprehension.
When her 17-year-old son received a scholarship to a prestigious dance academy, the financial reality of living expenses loomed large. The mom began to consider part-time work, a significant shift after 18 years at home.
Fortunately, her husband worked remotely, and her meticulously crafted morning school schedule, combined with her older children’s help with dinner, offered a pathway to making it work. While she knew she’d miss being home full-time, her husband’s support was key.
A New Chapter: The Job Hunt
Her previous work experience included a few hours at a college daycare, assisting a small business owner, and clerical duties in a hospital’s X-ray department. A company specializing in employee-employer matching suggested she explore opportunities at the three local colleges.
Her husband soon pointed out an opening at his alma mater: an Assistant to the Office of Belonging. With her background as a Bangladeshi British American adoptee, and her college studies in critical race theory, crafting a compelling cover letter felt natural.
She was also proficient in Microsoft Office and confident in her ability to learn new systems. Adding to the serendipity, the position was for her husband’s former professor, with whom they had maintained a friendly relationship.
She hoped her application would stand out.
After two interviews, the offer came. Taking a deep breath, she accepted.
Parenting: The Ultimate Career Training
Stepping into her new role at the university, the mom quickly discovered how her years of parenting had unknowingly prepared her. Just as she had created a sanity-saving schedule for her babies, she now efficiently managed a rapidly filling calendar of events, seamlessly integrating new projects into her day. Her experience juggling the needs of multiple children, from toddlers to teens, had honed her ability to divide her attention and prioritize tasks.
Perhaps the most surprising benefit was her newfound confidence in networking. In her previous jobs, she had been timid, struggling to initiate conversations with clients or parents.
As a parent, however, she had actively sought out other new moms at the library and park to build a support system. These interpersonal skills proved invaluable in her new office role, allowing her to confidently forge collaborations across departments and establish herself as a valuable resource.
Eighteen years ago, she admits, she would have felt lost in this position. Now, working on a university campus has become a wellspring of inspiration. While not a student herself, she finds herself setting new life goals, a testament to how her son’s dreams have, in turn, unveiled her own.