Parenting versus Managing
There isn't a day goes by that I don't use skills at work that I learnt through being a parent.
Whether I am being encouraging; or expressing my disappointment at someone who should know better; managing conflict and assisting with calm authority, denying gossip; managing good and bad performance; managing relationships (and ensuring the team don't kill each other); teaching office manners, where it's OK to smoke - but "I really wouldn't because xyz", that "please", "thank you" and "you're welcome" are not optional extras, and finally, teaching that punctuality is a key measure by which you'll be judged.
Over and over again I find myself having the same conversations in work as I've had at home talking to my girls as they grew up.
And actually, teaching and training and managing the 6 and 8 year old is often much easier than doing the same with a bunch of adults who all think they know better. Some of which have never been taught how to spell. Some never got into the habit of saying 'thank you'. Some are learning new things and getting frustrated by the slowness of their learning. Many (oh goodness FAR too many) gossip and argue in the same way you'd expect on a playground.
Sell your parenting skills to interviewers
So if you are trying to get back into the workplace after having children you can absolutely sell your newly learnt skills in parenting as management skills.
