Motherhood: The Original IPO

Motherhood

After the birth of our second child, I chose to become a stay-at-home mom. Because I left the workforce during some of my prime earning years, I reflect on my decision.

When I decided to return to full-time paid employment, I faced difficulty finding a conventional corporate job despite the skills I had maintained and sharpened while on earning hiatus. Hiring managers, HR personnel, and other decision makers seemed unable to see the valuable skills of an experienced, well-educated woman who had remained an active and contributing member of society. I simply had not been paid for my most recent contributions.

During those full-time motherhood years, I did what many moms do:

  • Educated my family. This strategic mission included hiring, negotiating, and paying schools, coaches, trainers, transportation, and finance providers, the way the purchasing department optimizes suppliers.
  • Started and ran after-school programs. These startups included a math team that honed the skills of the mathematical elite. The team also inspired confidence and enjoyment for the field among those for whom the subject seemed insurmountable — creating a unified team spirit.
  • Coordinated large groups of volunteers to raise funds for schools, health initiatives, and education programs, harnessing disparate energy into tangible results.
  • Balanced academic and extracurricular logistics of two students at different schools and one entrepreneurial spouse who traveled extensively, towards the goals of family dinners, vacations, and shared conversations, the way a band manager synchronizes a long term, multi-stop tour.
  • Managed contractors, architects, city planning departments, and a budget to rebuild our home, assuming the role of general contractor, the way a product manager creates a brand’s image, distribution, and packaging.
  • And most importantly, I gave the world two kind, contributing members of society, who I believe will make the world a better place — my personal Initial Public Offering.
My children, as adults

Julian and Alexis, ages 4 and 5

My Children as Adults

Julian and Alexis at 24 and 25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I created Connect•Work•Thrive to empower professionals to make positive career transformations, including returning to the workforce a career break.

To learn more about what we accomplish, read:

Struggling with a career decision? Feeling stuck? Let’s connect! Schedule a convenient time for a complimentary consult with me.