For Partners of Mothers
At Pros&Babes, we encourage fathers to take parental leave and participate in managing the mental, emotional, and domestic labour that increases with having children.
A Father's Perspective:
"Thanks again for allowing me to participate in the MoMBA program for this past month alongside (my partner). I think you are doing amazing work and after this last month I can see why my partner’s confidence has grown so much since beginning your program. The MoMBA participants have become a welcoming support group for new and existing members and this was evident even in my limited experience with the program.
During this past month we explored our personal brand- specifically how to develop and utilize our personal brand statement. I have been through many leadership training sessions throughout my career and the concept of “being intentional about leading yourself first” never truly stuck with me until the creation of my brand statement. It is interesting that something as “simple” as distilling your work-self into a single sentence forces you to think so deeply about how you want others to perceive you. I also appreciate that you brought in an expert on personal branding to guide us through the creation of a brand statement and how to utilize it. Without the framework she provided, coming up with the brand statement would be extremely daunting and was something I may never have considered.
I was familiar with an elevator speech as a sales tactic but it was always directed more towards a product or the company instead of oneself... I thought my work would speak for itself but moving forward I will be more intentional about developing and using my brand statement when I engage with other members of my industry.
The format of MoMBA- training/seminars mixed with Q&A and networking is a welcome change from other courses I have attended as it allows you to gain insight into how other participants interpreted the training and can change your mindset while bolstering confidence in the explored topics. In many past experiences a seminar or training is given and then participants are left to explore the topics alone. Having access to past recorded sessions also allows you to proceed at your own pace or catch up if you missed a session.
...
Although the MoMBA is directed primarily towards new mothers it is applicable to new Fathers or anyone who is looking to advance in their careers as well. The principles can be applied to a number of situations and with such a supportive community it would be hard not to feel more empowered and confident in your daily and work life. Men go through some pretty major changes as well after becoming Fathers and those of us that choose to take paternity leave may experience a disconnect at work similar to mothers returning from maternity leave. Although I only participated directly with the MoMBA this month I know the other portions of the program are just as important and beneficial due to my wife being a long term member of the program. Anyone willing to invest in themselves through the MoMBA will be doing themselves a favor that they can reflect on years down the road with pride."
- A MoMBA participant's partner (shared with permission)
❝
Amanda, P.Eng. and Mom
I am really loving the MoMBA program.
I truly believe it has already been transformational for me. And it's made my health recovery and maternity leave so much more intentional and purposeful.
Unlike any other program, the MoMBA brings motherhood and career together. Its holistic approach covers 12 pillars, and they are all interconnected. Without a comprehensive program like this, I would have been left to figure out critical areas of my life alone. I would have spent a lot of time and energy in the process. As a mom, it’s already hard enough!
❝
Patricia, Engineer and Mom
I had finally found a community of like-minded women wanting to be amazing mothers, and continue to do amazing things with our professional careers... I wanted to be a part of that community to learn from these women, to share the wisdom and grace that I have personally and have never previously given myself credit for. And to show up for myself, instead of just doing what everyone else wants me to do. I am a supermom, even though it sometimes doesn't feel like it, even though it's often a struggle to just get through the day.
❝
Sarah, P.Eng. and Mom
The biggest shift I’ve seen in myself is in the mindset. When I started the MoMBA program, I was stuck in a scarcity mindset, worried about the loss of income from my career break and not open to opportunities for growth.
Joining the program has made a huge change: my mind has opened up to so many ideas, including the possibility to outsource, which allows me to keep working on myself. It’s a new element in my decision-making that is going to be extremely valuable after returning from maternity leave: I know I will need tons of support to thrive in my career.
❝
Joelle, Software developer and Mom
For me, the gains over a lifetime with just being able to make these shifts in your mindset is huge: if it makes my relationship better with my husband and makes that relationship better with my daughter and makes me a better employee, and makes me less stressed out for the rest of my life... all of those gains become huge. That investment is not really that big when you consider all of those different aspects changing in your life. It's a huge value for every area of your life, there's very few things that can really have an effect on every single piece of of the way in which you move through the world.
❝
Colleen, P.Eng. and Mom
Since the pandemic moved networks and support online, I’ve found in Pros&Babes a safe place where motherhood could be discussed and normalized. From there it has evolved into much more, helping me grow and realize I get to choose who I want to be - as a person, a parent and a professional. The MoMBA community has been an absolute highlight of my maternity leave.
❝
Maja, Director of Business Operations and Mom
The MoMBA gives us the tools to live a designed, purposeful life.
Surrounded by amazing parents, you're inspired to change your mindset to thrive both as a mom and professional.
❝
Alisha, P.Eng. and Mom
When you're the only woman in the room, you see how differently your male colleagues operate. You question your own ways of doing and working. It's nice to be in a room filled with like-minded mothers who are holding up a mirror to you and want to make an impact by helping create more and more space for women in our industry.
I was delighted and surprised to see myself become a trailblazer for other women. The peer mentorship I’ve enjoyed within the MoMBA community has helped me grow in competence and confidence, so now I feel ready to reach out to other women who are at an earlier stage in their careers and support them on their journey.
When you have coaching and regular follow-up, and you're exposed to a variety of perspectives within a supportive community, growth happens so much faster!
❝
Kirsten, P.Eng. and Mom
I joined the MoMBA one month before my return to work, a transition that felt scary and uncertain. It was right at that time that the opportunity to fill a leadership position in a new organization came up. The women in the MoMBA community offered me the encouragement I needed to go after that promotion. I knew that if I were to get that role, I would be able to rely on their support to grow and thrive in it.
Ever since my first session with Kinia, I’ve gained tons of confidence about my leadership skills. And confidence is what I brought to the interview, and what ultimately got me the job. I am so grateful to the community for helping me plant the seeds of my success.
❝
Funmi, P.Eng. and Mom
Pros&Babes has been the best thing for my professional development in this time.
And actually, the best thing for my family too, because it is something we can all learn from.
❝
Amanda, P.Eng., and Mom of teens
In a world of leadership programs, the MoMBA focuses on how we bring our professional and personal worlds together. It allows women with caregiving duties to reach their leadership potential. This is a priority because we have unique perspectives and skills as a result of being caregivers. The return on investment is most apparent in a female leaders' ability to lead and grow individuals on their teams, which in turn grows an organization.
❝
Jazmin, Senior IT Manager
and Mom
The MoMBA brings the clarity and structure I need to chart my path. It helps me break down big goals into tactical, manageable steps.
❝
Brittany S., P.Eng.
and Mom