Mentor Mom Panel:: The Good Stuff

It was that time of year again: Mentor Mom time! Our favorite panel sat before us once again and regaled us with anecdotes and wisdom. How did we get so lucky? They are a delight and show us that it is possible to get to the other side in one piece.

Without further adieu, read on to see some of the best stuff they had to impart.

Favorite part about being a Mentor Mom...

• going to church and seeing all the moms they've met through MOPS. Seeing the moms with their families is so fun!
• hearing everyone's stories
• learn a lot from the moms and it helps in relationship with their own kids and daughters

Relationships/their best tips...

• prayer
• patience
• be interested in his side of the conversation. Ask "what do you think about this?" without giving the answer. 
• kids do, in fact, make things difficult. We're not doing it wrong. So hang tight--it will get better!
• Date nights. Do it. The kids see it and appreciate it.

What would you have done differently when you had young kids?

• Date nights.
• view your husband as your husband, not just daddy. Marriage first.
  
• Understand where your kids are when they're there as they mature. Don't hold them back.
• Don't hold back on making memories in favor of routine. Lean into "out of the ordinary." That's what they'll remember!

On being a good daughter-in-law or having a good in-law relationship:

• think how you would want to be treated.
• Have grace for the challenge of coming into our homes where we do things differently than they (the in-laws) always have. 
• Absolute equality! Give them the same memories, time, inclusion at family events.

Advice you dare not give your kids/would love to say but can't:

• you're living like you're waiting for the maid, but she aint coming.
• limit social media/ technology! Disengaged feeling out in the world. Kids pick up on all of it.

Something learned in MOPS you wish you would have known:

• on being a Praise Junkie mom...they don't hear it after awhile. Praise their actions (i.e. diligence, hard work,etc), not necessarily the outcomes.

Christina McCracken::Career Planning and Advice for Mothers

We were so glad to have Christina come talk to us about jumping back into the working world after staying home with our kids. For those of us just beginning, she helped give us a place to start. For those with their feet already wet, she gave tangible steps to move forward and make progress. Wherever we find ourselves, she reminded us that any start is a good start and that it is a journey. Where we end up may look very different than where we began, but isn't that life? #wisdom

Click HERE for the recording of Christina's talk.

Enjoy!

Christina is a Career Consultant who began her talk by pointing out that this path is not linear. It can take all sorts of turns and twists and end up in a completely different direction than when you started. But there are some concrete steps to take to get there.

1.) Where are you in the process? 

• Discernment: figuring out what you want to do. Is it a specific role or handful or skills you can bring to a number of places? Talk to people. Ask them what they see in you or what you're good at. What are your values? Priorities? Skills?
• Strategy: a plan that takes into account where the job landscape and your abilities meet. What does the field you're interested in require? More education or a certificate? Is this feasible? What are the hours? Do your research (job sites help with this). 
• Action: you know where you wantt to be and are ready to begin the search. This involves meeting with people, taking some informational interviews. Those one-on-ones can be more helpful as that person can be more honest and straightforward about their job than at a formal interview. Also, keep contact/relationships up...referrals and recruiters take those recommendations seriously. 

2.) Next Steps

• Assessments: MBTI, Strengths Finder, Career Assessment, etc. Ask your friends what gifts or strengths they see in you. 
• ResearchL Networking, Informational INterviews, LinkedIn, etc.
• Action Plan: Personal Narrative and Marketing Materials

Further Discussion

• Where do you see yourself in the process--discernment, strategy, or action?
• What is a career of interest to you?
• What is hardest about this process for you?
• What one step will you take in the next month to move forward?

Christina McCracken

PIVOT Career Consulting

christina@pivotcareerconsulting.com