Motherhood is a Career
I have always been career driven for as long as I can remember. And by this, it meant looking back from the time I have stepped out of the University a couple of decades ago. All these working years have given me experiences in successes and failures as I strive to climb the so-called corporate ladder. I had been lucky to have been guided by seasoned practitioners I call experts in their field… seasoned in experience and maybe even in age.
However, no amount of mentoring could have prepared me for the daunting tasks that go along with this thing called MOTHERHOOD. The past 11 years had been a constant juggle to give equal focus between work and family. And in the recent years, I realized that Motherhood is a dedicated career by itself. Why you might ask? Let me share with you corporate practices that are effectively applied in parenting.
First and most important of it all, TIME MANAGEMENT. Children require so much time and undivided attention from infancy to toddler up to school age and even beyond. It requires the art of maximizing 24 hours to be spent in playing, doing assignments, participating in school programs, engaging in sports, attending PTA meetings, doctor visits and simply 1 on 1 bonding sessions with the child, among others. It is important that each opportunity to spend time with a child is spent with utmost quality as these are the moments that shape and mold their personality and character. These precious moments should be allocated while they are young, before we know it, they grow up very fast and are mostly out of our sight.
Next comes, BUDGETING. It is no joke that raising a child is financially-challenging. At first, I was confident that I was up for the expenses since I was a working mom. While I have managed to get through the years, it takes a change in lifestyle and priorities to be able to cope up. There is always that “want” to provide not just ENOUGH but beyond my child’s needs. Commodity prices go up, and that goes the same for school tuition fees, uniforms, extra-curricular activities, medicines and play time, among others.
Motherhood also comes with STRATEGIC PLANING. At some point, I question my capabilities if I am raising my child right? When am I a mother and when do I become a friend? When do I listen and empathize? When do I reprimand? Should I be strict? Should I be forgiving? These are some of the daily questions I ask. It takes much creative thinking and balancing to make my child comfortable talking to me and confiding in me, yet at the same time be able to instill discipline and raise him with good morals.
Lastly, COMMUNICATION and FEEDBACK. These are equally important factors in Motherhood. In good and bad times, it is important to communicate with the child. How we do feedback in Toastmasters could also be applied. Highlight the good points, correct the bad points and reinforce the good things that the child needs to continue doing. Communication comes in different shape and form, it could be a hug, a grunt, a nod but nothing beats verbal communication – from simply asking how the day went to expressing emotions and feelings. It is important to let your child know, how important he or she is, or the moment just passes you by.
I am no expert in Parenting. I wouldn’t even claim I am a perfect mom. I probably apply as much best practices as I can but it doesn’t mean I would not encounter any glitches. My motherhood performance evaluation would probably be evident as my child grows up…I am sure my rating would still be “needs continuous improvement”. My compensation and benefit would be reflected in the multiplied hugs, kisses and appreciation my child shows. My level promotion may be in the form of grand parenting, God-forbid not in the very near future! So you see, Motherhood is a career on its own entirety, and while I know this career will not increase the funds in my bank account, my long term objective is to excel in it and be the best mommy I can ever be!
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