I was having dinner with a French working mother earlier this week and she raised a really interesting idea…. Are we hiding motherhood at work ?
My first thought was NO! Of course not !. But the more we talked and discussed it, the more it emerged that I do temper what I say in a corporate environment, mindful of how it will be perceived. The conversation then developed to how she has been operating.
Originally a French mum in London, she’s now back in Paris. She was working for an American company, then a Dutch one and laterally a French one. Culturally she has had three different experiences. The American company, for her, was intense and full on, and never mentioned children, no flexibility. The Dutch one for her, was a very open environment, a male CEO who was often the first to mention the children and his challenges. The French one, for her, was similar to the American experience, possibly more extreme in her (French) view. She felt the French company was very detached from parenting – and as a working parent you were expected to act the same. Which was fine, and the norm for those French people there, however, she felt she had been abroad for so long that her working mum style had been influenced by the English style.
Interesting global corporate cultural insight. IMPORTANT: For balance, this must be taken in context, this is one view and from a specific industry – IT. No style is right or wrong, but I do find her question fascinating culturally. Are we hiding motherhood at work ? And does this differ when you are in the public or private sector ? Personally, I feel it is fine to mention your children at work, but I advise reading the room first – is it appropriate to share the story? Only you can judge that. I’d be really interested to hear your views.Xx
Aristo-Chic Working SuperMum Café 