Professional and Personal Development for Every Mum – Ideas and Good Practices
- Sofiya Dimitrova
- Jul 27, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
If someone had told me years ago that I'd one day write an article on this topic, I probably would have smiled and said that professional development is the same for everyone, whether you're a parent or not.
I would have argued that all you need are the usual best practices for career growth.
Naively, I would have overlooked one very important thing: For working parents, professional development takes place in a completely different realm.
A world I thought I understood through empathy, but one that only truly made sense once I experienced it myself.
Why Talk About Professional Development for Working Mums?
By now, you can probably guess the answer.
For many parents, both personal and professional development quietly move to the bottom of the priority list, buried beneath endless responsibilities, family commitments, and the everyday realities of raising children.
If you have a child under the age of three, finding time for yourself often feels almost impossible.
And when you do make time for your own growth, it's often accompanied by that familiar feeling that something else—something seemingly more important—is being neglected.
That's exactly why I've put together a few simple, practical ideas to help you continue developing professionally while balancing family life.
These suggestions are just as relevant if you're already back at work as they are if you're currently on maternity leave.
Before "How", Let's Start with "What?"
Or, more importantly:
What do you actually want to achieve?
Do you remember Alice's Adventures in Wonderland?
One of my favourite conversations from the book goes like this:
"Which way ought I to go from here?" asked Alice.
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cheshire Cat.
"I don't much care where..." said Alice.
"Then it doesn't much matter which way you go," said the Cat.
"...so long as I get somewhere," Alice added.
"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."
So let me ask you the same questions.
Where would you like to be professionally—or personally?
What are your goals?
Where would you like to be in two, five, or even ten years? (Yes, one of those classic HR questions.)
If you keep walking for long enough, you'll almost certainly get somewhere. But where do you genuinely want that place to be? I'd encourage you to begin there. Start by defining your destination. Only then should you think about how to get there.
So... How? Here are a few ideas that might help.
Make Time for Short Videos, Podcasts or Articles
Spend a few minutes each day listening to or reading something related to your profession—or the profession you'd like to have. I can already hear some of you saying:
"My job doesn't offer many development opportunities."
"I'm already overwhelmed with work."
"I don't even have five spare minutes in my day."
If you're reading this article, congratulations. You've already taken the very first step. You've recognised that you want to keep learning. Now it's time to become a little creative and steal back a few minutes for yourself. Five minutes. Ten minutes.
That's enough to begin.
Whether it's an app, an online course, or a virtual conference, there are countless opportunities to learn whenever it suits you. Here are a few platforms I genuinely recommend.
Flexible Language Learning
Duolingo - educational app;
Rosetta Stone - combines self-paced learning with the opportunity to work with an online tutor.
AI apps for English Language improvement - use the technologies nowadays - apps, conversations, video content. You name it!
Learning New Skills
Udemy и LinkedIn Learning -offer thousands of courses on everything from presentation skills and project management to programming and graphic design. If you're considering Udemy, keep an eye out for their frequent promotions - you can often find excellent courses at heavily discounted prices.
Other ways to learn
If sitting down with a book feels impossible right now, audiobooks can be a wonderful alternative.
Platforms such as Audible, SoundCloud, and Storytel allow you to learn while driving, walking, folding laundry, or enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of coffee.
You can also follow online events through social media.
There are countless free webinars, workshops, seminars, and learning communities available from the comfort of your home.
Whether you're interested in newborn care or introductory accounting, chances are the information you're looking for is already out there.
Personally, I've always found biographies incredibly inspiring.
They've helped shape my own professional aspirations and introduced me to ideas I might never have considered otherwise.
A few books I've particularly enjoyed include:
How to Be Like Walt Disney
Michelle Obama's Becoming
Estée Lauder's biography
Shoe Dog - Phil Knight
3. Surround Yourself with Inspiring People
If you want to grow professionally, spend time with people who inspire you.
They don't necessarily need to become close friends.
What's important is that they broaden your perspective and encourage you to keep learning.
Even conversations at the playground can become surprisingly meaningful.
Instead of talking only about children, try asking questions like:
"When are you planning to return to work?"
"What do you do professionally?"
"Are you learning anything new?"
"What's your dream job?"
You may be surprised how many mums secretly share the same ambitions.
Sometimes those conversations lead to friendships.
Sometimes they lead to entirely new career paths.
4. Find a Mentor or Coach
If you already know the direction you'd like to take, consider finding a mentor, a coach, or simply someone whose career you admire.
Their experience can provide guidance, encouragement, and practical ideas that help you move forward.
And if you still don't know where you want to go, don't start with your goals.
Start with yourself.
Who are you?
What matters to you?
What do you dream about?
5. Be Patient with Yourself
Growth doesn't happen overnight. Neither does change. And certainly not while you're juggling work, family life, children, and everything else that comes with modern motherhood. There will be moments when your goals feel distant. Moments when they seem almost impossible.
When that happens, ask yourself:
"What could I adjust?"
"How could I make this goal fit my life today?"
"How important is professional development to me right now?"
If the answer is "Not very," that's perfectly okay.
Perhaps something else deserves your attention at this stage of your life.
One of the greatest lessons motherhood teaches us is patience. Offer that same patience to yourself. Celebrate every small step.Every article you read. Every course you finish. Every conversation that inspires you. They all count.
Final Thoughts
For every one of us, motherhood and career are deeply personal journeys.
Some of these ideas may resonate with you. Others may not fit your current chapter at all.
And that's perfectly okay. What matters most is remembering that your willingness to keep growing will eventually lead you to your own somewhere- the place where you want to be professionally, while continuing to be the wonderful mum you already are.
