The Invisible Career: Why Your Parenting Work Deserves to Be Recognised

“I used to measure my worth in job titles and paychecks… until my son taught me what real work looks like.”

I remember a particular Monday morning when my 3-year-old son was mid-meltdown because I’d peeled his banana wrong.

I had one sock on, stale tea in my hand, and a half-written children’s story in my notebook.

That day, a well-meaning friend messaged me:

“Are you planning to go back to work anytime soon?”

I wanted to laugh.

Go back to work?

I’d been working nonstop.

The Invisible Career We Build Everyday

If you’re a parent—especially to a neurodiverse child—you know this truth intimately:

Our days are filled with coaching emotional regulation, facilitating learning, anticipating triggers, and gently guiding through routine transitions.

We are behaviour strategists before breakfast, literacy coaches by lunch, and emotional support humans by bedtime.

But because none of it comes with a payslip, a promotion, or public applause—we don’t call it a career.

We call it “a break.”

A break from what, exactly?

Why We Struggle to Claim It

There’s an uncomfortable gap between what we do and what we think “counts” as professional achievement.

We’ve internalised this idea that careers must come with business cards or that anything done in stretchy pants doesn’t “count.”

We forget that soft skills—like empathy, communication, problem-solving, flexibility—aren’t smooth at all.

They’re the foundation of every successful role in the world.

If you’re helping your child navigate a tough moment without losing your cool?

That’s conflict resolution.

If you’ve turned therapy strategies into everyday habits?

That’s training and implementation.

If you’ve created bedtime stories to teach values?

That’s curriculum design.

The Career You’re Already Building

Let me gently remind you of what you might have forgotten:

You’re learning on the job.

You’re adapting to complex emotional needs.

You’re observing, tracking, and tweaking behaviour strategies.

You’re documenting patterns in your child’s mood, sleep, learning, and responses.

You’re innovating—daily.

It may not have a desk or a supervisor, but it is a career. And one with more depth, grit, and compassion than most 9-to-5s.

So… How Do You Start Claiming It?

Here’s a small activity you can try this week:

The “Invisible CV” Exercise

Take 20 minutes to sit with a notebook and write a résumé of the work you’ve done in your parenting journey.

No job titles. Just roles, tasks, and skills.

Format it like this:

Position: Emotional Regulation Coach

Key Achievements: I taught my child how to identify and label their feelings using colour-coded labels. Reduced morning meltdowns by 70%.

Position: Literacy Guide

Key Achievements: I used songs and sound cards to help my child with speech delays blend phonics into meaningful words.

Position: Behaviour Analyst

Key Achievements: Identified pattern between overstimulation at the park and post-nap irritability. Adjusted schedule for calmer transitions.

Then, read it aloud to yourself. Let it sink in.

You are not on pause.

You are in progress.

Claiming Doesn’t Mean Changing Careers

You don’t have to “pivot” into therapy or teaching (unless you want to).

But the skills you’ve honed can translate into whatever field you choose to pursue—be it writing, consulting, training, design, business, or care work.

All you need is one shift:

From “I just take care of my child.”

to

“I’ve gained deep, hands-on experience that makes me uniquely qualified.”

You Deserve To Be Seen

Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or juggling both worlds, you deserve to be seen—not just as a parent but as a professional, a learner, and a leader.

The first step isn’t a new degree or a new job.

It’s giving yourself permission to say:

“What I do matters. And I’m ready to claim it.”

Let’s Talk!

Have you ever felt like your parenting work didn’t “count”?

What’s one “job” you do every day that deserves to be on your Invisible CV?

Share it in the comments below

And if you need help translating your lived experience into a career path or just want to talk it through with someone who gets it —

Book a 1:1 session with me here

You don’t need to go back to work.

You’re already doing it.

Let’s just make sure the world knows.

Recommended Reads for ParentsThe ADHD Workbook for Parents – A practical guide offering worksheets and strategies to manage behaviours, handle homework, and advocate for your child in educational settings. Parenting ADHD Power Pack 3-in-1 Bundle – This bundle provides foolproof strategies, debunks misconceptions, and offers insights for effective ADHD management in a nurturing environment. ADHD Parents Manifesto: Evidence-based Self-Care – A guide emphasising the importance of self-care for parents, offering evidence-based strategies to maintain well-being while supporting a child with ADHD. Recommended Online Courses ADHD in Child Development – This free course helps you understand ADHD symptoms, related eating disorders, different subtypes, and treatment options, including how parenting styles can impact children with ADHD. Hyperactivity Disorder in Children – A free online course introducing the main symptoms of hyperactivity disorder, its impact on children, and strategies for working with children with ADHD at school and at home. Diploma in the Symptoms, Treatment, and Management of ADHD – An advanced-level course providing comprehensive information about ADHD, including its symptoms, treatment options, and management strategies.

Engaging with these resources can empower you with knowledge and strategies to support your child’s development and well-being while also recognising and valuing the professional skills you’ve honed as a parent. Remember, the journey you’re on is not just about caregiving; it’s about continuous learning, growth, and embracing the multifaceted role you play in both your child’s life and your own personal development.

Feel free to explore these resources and continue claiming the career you deserve. Your dedication and commitment are commendable, and you’re not alone on this path.

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