Millennial mamas are really making their mark in the UK workforce.
An impressive one in 12 of you new mums in this ‘millennial’ generation – born between 1980 and 2000 – are already running your own businesses across the country, according to a recent survey by Nominet.
A fifth of you new mamas will also become your own boss over the next five years. So striking a work-life balance, gaining financial independence and raising your kids means you can have your cake and eat it. Sounds good eh?
The study also revealed that this trend of becoming a ‘mumpreneur’ has become increasingly desirable, with over 78% of mums saying flexibility and control is key. Working from home, and on your terms, means that being a working mum can be easier to juggle.
Childcare factor
But on the other side of the coin, the rise of the self-employed mama is not just about the lure of being your own boss and leaving the 9-to-5 shift to someone else.
For some of you mums, the staggering cost of childcare also influences what career path to take. A day here and there at nursery really does add up – and in some cases, more than what you earn. For some of you mamas, this just doesn’t make returning to your old job worth it.
It seems that mamas have no choice but to get proactive and build a business from home to help keep your household (and your brain) ticking over.
Guilt factor
There is also the guilt of leaving your kids with someone else. In fact, one in five of you mamas feel anxious about returning to your job post-bump.
This can strike a chord with those of you who haven’t got the luxury of having willing grandparents, family or friends who can babysit. These days, the old proverb: “It takes a village to raise a child” is easier said than done.
Being your own boss
While being self-employed is no walk in the park, it’s no surprise that more and more of you are going solo.
Technology is influencing how you mums are climbing up the career ladder. The speed and ease of Internet access can give you the option of setting up a business from the comfort of your own home. From using social media to creating your own email or website, you can tap into different industries, reach out to other businesses and have meetings with clients abroad – without even having to leave your sofa.
You can also pick your own hours so you can work before your kids wake up, during their naps or after their bedtime – a choice of working part-time, full-time or even just a few hours a day.
Plus you don’t have to rely on a workplace to meet your crazy schedules. There isn’t the added stress of a daily commute, office politics or being passive-aggressive with your colleagues over who takes Christmas off this year. Happy days.
Being armed with the skills of being a new mama, such as multitasking, time management and keeping calm under pressure, all work in your favour in attracting new business.
And rather than just be known as a mama – you can also be you. Your own boss. A millennial mother. In more ways than one.
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