Careers After Kids: Building Confidence Through Action

The Big MOB Mum Meet-up - CRATE Walthamstow

On Friday, the The Big MOB Mum Meet-up in Walthamstow got a serious injection of energy when Amy from Five Hour Club took over for a special session on careers after children. Five Hour Club is the job board made by parents, for parents - and MOB member Amy brought with her an incredible lineup of coaches and experts who weren’t afraid to cut through the noise.

The message was loud and clear: confidence doesn’t come from thinking, it comes from action.

Wake-Up Call from the Data

• Only ~17% of mothers in the UK feel confident returning to work after maternity leave. Stylist

• Over 80% of working mothers report struggles getting adequate support when returning from maternity leave. HR Brew

• Less than a quarter (24%) of women go back to full-time work after having children — among those, many end up leaving their roles because full-time doesn’t fit their new reality. wearethecity.com

These stats aren’t just numbers — they reflect something we know: so many mums don’t feel supported, or confident, or seen. And that’s exactly why the MOB exists.

What We Learnt: Big Takeaways

Here’s what stuck with us from the panel:

• Communicate to share the mental load. Stop carrying it alone - sharing early prevents burnout. (Sam @thefloat.space)

• Rewrite your internal narrative. Who are you now in motherhood? Own those new skills and identity. (Rachael @mumsjugglingcareers)

• Bring money worries into the light. Anxiety thrives in silence. Be transparent to plan better. (Bex Co-founder of The MOB @mumswhobuild)

• Negotiate flexibility from the start. Ask about remote work, hours, clear flexibility before you accept roles. (Susie @hi.ho.coaching)

• Write your brag list. Celebrate wins - small or big. They compound into confidence.

• Use tapping or other techniques to calm your nervous system when triggers arise. (Laura @themindfulgeneration)

Community Highlights

Shout out to Sasha, the Co-founder of @askjoeynow, who talked about her exciting new platform that gives parents access to paediatrician-level reassurance about children’s health - confidence in your pockets.

Also, thank you to the female founders who filled our epic goody bags:

• Christmas bows by @pripri.co.uk

• Organic sweets by @wildthingz.co

• Raising Boys Equally magazine by @sonshinemagazine

• Herbal tea by @mother_cuppatea

Final Word

Careers after children can feel like walking into the unknown. The system often makes that walk harder than it should be. But what Friday’s meetup proved is that every small action moves you forward. Confidence, reclaiming your identity, negotiating for what you need - these are all steps. And you don’t have to do them alone.

Thank you to Amy and the Five Hour Club, and to all the mums who showed up, spoke up, and made this a space of action and honesty.

Careers After Kids Panel Talk

About Mums Who BUild

At Mums Who Build, we believe the journey back to work doesn’t have to be lonely, overwhelming, or defined by long gaps on your CV. Right now, the job market is tough, but sitting at home waiting for things to change isn’t the answer. The MOB is your platform of opportunities.

Here, you don’t just network - you practice, share, and grow. Maybe you worked in PR and could run a webinar, join a panel, or write a blog for our community. Maybe you want to pivot into events or photography - why not hone those skills at one of our weekly meet-ups?

Every contribution you make builds confidence, keeps your skills fresh, and fills those “gaps” that employers worry about. More importantly, it lifts your mental health, reminding you that you still have so much to offer.

The MOB is where ambitious mums show up, skill up, and step into opportunities together.

• If you missed this one, we’ve got more coming. Check the MOB events page for what’s next — because we’re building together.

• Discover Our Why

Amy, The Co-founder of Five Hour Club and Georgie, the Co-founder of The MOB