Most Australian mothers suffer from a lack of confidence when they return to work after having a baby, a survey has found.
It surprises me that mothers don’t have more confidence when they return to the workplace – as they are armed with a host of new skills and experiences.
More than half of the women surveyed – 67% – spent a year at home before they returned to work.
However, in the Get Qualified Australia study of 550 mothers – aged between 18 and 64 years – only 32% of women felt confident to re-enter the workforce after giving birth.
The biggest concerns for mothers returning to work related to finding a good work-life balance and having up-to-date skills.
It seems the variety of skills mothers develop while staying at home are even under-rated in our own eyes.
My first day back in the office from Mums Milestones. Image supplied.
Leaving the house with a newborn, dealing with post swimming class meltdowns, washing and blow-drying my hair were all real achievements of my first three months with my son.
But my long days of being a new mother sometimes added up to:
"What did you do today honey?"
"Nothing much."
Mothering isn't counted as a series of key performance indicators. It's not a confidence booster, you just get through it somehow.
You don't get a gold star or any praise for soothing a screaming-baby, learning to breastfeed or coping with relentless night-shifts. I'd say they are all under-rated skills in life.
Watch Jamila Rizvi on returning to work at Mamamia. Post continues after video.
Top Comments
As a v junior lawyer part of your role is often juggling files, trolleys and bags on the way to court.
My first time in this position I sent a silent prayer thanks for my parenting experience. Who ever would have thought the ability to carry multiple bags, books and wiggly children while maintaining a calm demeanor and a carrying on an adult conversation was a transferable skill?
Don't diss your parenting experience. It may come in handy more often than you realise!
This is exactly how I feel. I worked in an industry which I absolutely loved, a workplace which was fantastic and colleagues who became my best friends. I was good at my job and worked hard to progress in my field.
I took a separation package after I fell pregnant for the second time and have now been out of the workforce for 4 years in order to be a stay at home mum. This was entirely my choice and I don't regret it.
Now the time has come to consider part time work as my children start kindy/school and I am absolutely petrified. I have applied for many jobs in my field and more often than not don't hear back. When I do hear back or get an interview, I never make it past that first stage, with the reason being there's someone "more suited" to the role. My confidence has been shaken to the core. I never had a problem getting an interview or a new job pre children. As a result I feel like I'm not as "switched on" as I used to be.
on the other hand I have two amazing children and a husband who I adore and they make me feel so cherished as a mother. I guess you can't have it both ways...but it really does get me down