Returning to work for mums or dads who have been the primary carer for their kids can often be a daunting endeavour. There may be anxiety or a lack of confidence about re-entering the workplace and an office environment.  There may be reluctance to having people tell you what to do when for so long you been the ruler of your domain (unless you have a stubborn 2 year old who takes over that role).

I think however many employers are finally realising the benefits of employing those that were once ‘stay at homers’. They have skills unsurpassed by any bachelor degree or PhD.

So for those of you struggling to think what you want to be ‘when you grow up’ or at least return to work, here are some examples of the skills we already have in abundance and some of the occupations that we could walk right into with ease…..

Exceptional Navigating and driving skills: I can find at a moments notice any basketball stadium or football oval via a party drop off and a play date pick up. All with the added stress of logistics, tight schedules and whinging toddlers

Possible Occupations: chauffeur, Formula one driver, scenic aerial pilot

Teaching skills: sitting down to hear readers, endeavouring to make sense of new maths methods and trying to ignite some semblance of enthusiasm into their homework…all the while keeping sane

Possible Occupations: Professor, trainer, coach, motivational speaker

Referee skills: Breaking up all manner of fights, squabbles, arguments and world wars.

Possible Occupations: diplomat, Judge, United Nations Commisioner or FBI or SWAT team member

Healing skills: kissing many a sore finger and patching up many a wounded knee.

Possible Occcuptions: Nurse, doctor, surgeon, evangelical healer on the speaking circuit

Construction Skills: Years of lego, blocks and magnetic sticking together toys has made me an expert in all things design and construction

Possible Occupations:  engineer, architect, building development tycoon 

Art critic: carefully knowing which artwork makes it to the fridge and that which needs to head back to the recycling bin.

Possible Occupation: Art gallery curator

Detective skills: able to find footy shorts at a moments notice, lost homework or a missing iPod. Lifting up jumpers from the floor and daring to put hands down the back of the couch has made me an expert in all things lost.

Possible Occupations: detective, archaeologist, explorer

Vocal Skills: This is not referring to my yelling but rather my lullaby singing!

Possible Occupations: rock star, opera singer or pop music sensation

Cooking Skills: preparing 49 dinners a week (ok so there may be some takeaaway in there), 49 lunches and many a breakfast surely gives my little kitchen a 3 hat status.

Possible Occupations : chef, maitre D, restauranteur, food critic (actually the rest of the family could be the food critics!)

Social Media skills: updating every Facebook status with little Johnnys every milestone and every cupcake we cook, makes us perfect at recording and relaying information and making our lives appear so much more ‘together’ than they may otherwise be

Possible Occupations: scribe, social media marketer, public relations officer, publicist 

and lastly…..

Multi tasker: however there is not any other job in the world that requires multi-tasking like that of being a parent.

So if you were nervous, unsure, or riddled with self doubt after years of playing mum or dad…fear not…a world of endless possibility awaits.

What other skills do you think you have acquired that could help you in the workplace?