ON THE OCCASION OF MOTHERS' DAY, OUR SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM TOOK THE TIME TO INTERVIEW WORKING MOTHERS AT PICARD.
Raising children and a career in professional life are not always easy to reconcile. They bring with them a number of challenges that, once mastered, can have many positive aspects. In the following, we introduce you to 3 interviewed mothers who give us exciting insights and tips about their everyday life between work and motherhood. You can look forward to interesting information and personal attitudes on the subject of "working mothers in a family business".
Nicole: 40 years old - works in purchasing at PICARD - has been with the company for 21 years - mother of 2 children
Tina: 34 years old - working in retail at PICARD - completed training at PICARD and has been with the company since - mother of 2 children
Marie von Grundherr: 42 years old - working in the pattern shop at PICARD - with the company for 17 years - mother of 2 children
What do you like most about being a working mother?ON THE OCCASION OF MOTHERS' DAY, OUR SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM TOOK THE TIME TO INTERVIEW WORKING MOTHERS AT PICARD.
Raising children and a career in professional life are not always easy to reconcile. They bring with them a number of challenges that, once mastered, can have many positive aspects. In the following, we introduce you to 3 interviewed mothers who give us exciting insights and tips about their everyday life between work and motherhood. You can look forward to interesting information and personal attitudes on the subject of "working mothers in a family business".
Nicole: 40 years old - works in purchasing at PICARD - has been with the company for 21 years - mother of 2 children
Tina: 34 years old - working in retail at PICARD - completed training at PICARD and has been with the company since - mother of 2 children
Marie von Grundherr: 42 years old - working in the pattern shop at PICARD - with the company for 17 years - mother of 2 children
What do you like most about being a working mother?
Nicole: "Since I've always enjoyed working, I'm happy that I can continue to do my thing. I wouldn't be a happy mother if I were only at home. After all, you're still your own person. But I also have enough time for the kids and I enjoy that time all the more."
Tina: "The variety - for me, working is like a vacation. With two small children, it can be exhausting at times. It's nice to talk with colleagues not only about children, but also about other topics. Just getting out of the daily routine of being a "mom.""
Marie von Grundherr: "I like not living my life exclusively for my job or exclusively for my family. The combination of both is exhausting but also varied. Earning money myself is something I find beautiful and important."
What was important for you to balance family and career?
Nicole: "I definitely wanted to work again and not always be "just" mom. But of course I also wanted my sons to have something from me. That's why I only worked part-time for the time being. In addition, a well-functioning network of school, daycare, grandmas and grandpas, aunts and co."
Tina: "That I don't have any pressure, i.e. I can arrange my hours as I can with children." Marie von Grundherr: "The agreements on working hours were an important aspect. The childcare options from one year and the parental allowance were also important."
Do you feel supported by PICARD as an employer to accommodate your family life alongside your job?
Nicole: "Yes. My working hours are timed according to school and daycare schedules. I have one day off a week and without Corona it usually goes very well. I can work relatively flexibly. Family business, that's what it is!"
Tina: "Definitely, it's a very family-friendly company. "
Marie von Grundherr: "I feel supported in the sense that I have already changed my working hours or the start and end of my working hours twice since having my first child. That was possible in consultation on each occasion and makes organizing the family much easier."
Children are often seen as an obstacle to a career. What do you think about this and what are your tips for mothers-to-be who want to realize their career potential?
Nicole: "To be honest, a bit definitely. You already have to cut back on your job when you have children. At least if you want something from your children and vice versa. Otherwise you don't need to have any. My opinion. Exceptions prove the rule, as always. Tips are hard to give. I would say that everyone has to find their own way. You can't decide or plan anything in advance. You must not lose yourself and try to keep the balance. Humor also helps. It should not be lost. Neither at home, nor at work."
Tina: "I don't see it that way. If you want to, you can do everything, even as a mother. It's all a question of organization and, of course, whether the family stands behind the mother and supports her. You should never give up your goal and your dreams, even as a mother. Because just because you're a mother doesn't mean you have to give up everything."
In your opinion, what would have to change so that all women have the opportunity to start a family alongside their job?
Nicole: "The care of the children would simply have to be given. You can't work if the kids aren't under. Home office is certainly a help, but not as a permanent solution. Especially when the children are small. Without care, without support from the family, etc., it is difficult. That's where the state would have to step in again."
Tina: "In any case, the children must get a safe and early Kita place, otherwise it is impossible to organize as a mother or parent. The problem is also the very high cost of a childminder, which may not be proportionate to the salary of some mothers. It would be a great advantage if companies had their own kindergarten for their employees, this would make a lot of things easier, also with regard to possible overtime. At the daycare center, you have to keep to the fixed pick-up times, and that's often a big problem, because as a mother you have to keep an eye on the clock."
Marie von Grundherr: "The number and quality of childcare places should be of great importance for politics and administration. Childcare hours that also allow full-time or shift work should not be a problem for mothers."
What experiences you've gained from being a mother help you in your day-to-day work?
Nicole: "I think I am very well organized and can organize well. I'm sure all the moms here will answer that. You keep track of time and think of a lot of things in parallel. That definitely helps on the job."
Tina: "Patience - you need a lot of patience with children and I try to use that in my daily work routine, too."
What are you looking forward to today when you're back with your family and kids after work?
Nicole: "At best, good-humored kids, a relaxed afternoon, dinner with everyone to discuss the day and when the kids are in bed, a glass of wine ;-)"
Tina: "On everything - I love being at home with my kids and husband. We always have something to laugh about."
Marie von Grundherr: "I just look forward to the two personalities I get to guide and accompany as they grow up and discover the world."
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WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO KNOW ABOUT MOTHER'S DAY? We have compiled some interesting topics and facts for you on this occasion.
There are 2.2 quadrillion mothers in the world. Mother's Day dates back to an initiative by American women's rights activist Anna Jarvis in 1907. To honor her deceased mother and to draw attention to women's problems, she called for a day of celebration for all mothers. She had 500 white carnations handed out to other mothers in front of the local church as an expression of her love for her late mother. Germany adopted this idea starting in the 1920s. In most countries around the world, the day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May. Christmas and Easter are considered the highest holidays of the church. Right after that, Mother's Day is the most celebrated holiday in the world.
In the UK, the most calls are made within the year on Mother's Day. Phone calls to mothers cause an even 37 percent greater load on the phone line than on any other day. In 2017, only in the US was 23 billion spent on Mother's Day gifts!
It is estimated that men spend about 35 percent more than women on gifts for their mothers.
A mother is a cook, cleaner, manager, psychologist, chauffeur, nurse, entertainer and much more all rolled into one. But what is this versatile full-time job actually worth? That's what the American site Salary.com has calculated. A fair annual salary for mothers is 162,581 dollars (145,222 euros), which is roughly equivalent to that of a judge.