Alright my friends, let’s talk about the career gap.

You know… that space on a résumé that often makes employers pause. The one filled with invisible ink that doesn’t list a title, salary, promotion, or anything really.

For me, that gap was full of early mornings, late nights, endless laundry, homework help, and midnight study sessions as I balanced solo motherhood with going back to university to earn my degree.

When divorce hit, I found myself alone raising five beautiful (and very busy) children. There were days that were full-blown survival mode when all I wanted was for bedtime to roll around. I had toddler Greyson eating cottage cheese straight from the container while I tandem-nursed the twins and somewhere in there, he decided to redecorate my kitchen island in a lovely shade of Maybelline black nail polish. I have video proof. I’ll see if I can attach it below…

Still, I managed to bake him the Thomas the Train cake he insisted on… before he changed his mind and demanded a pink confetti one from Sobeys. Because that’s motherhood: flexibility, time management, problem-solving, and humor under pressure. For the record- I didn’t laugh then, but I do now!

And if we’re talking numbers, according to a 2023 Insure.com study, if a stay-at-home mother were compensated for her work, her annual salary would exceed $184,000 USD (that’s a whopping $257, 907.28 for my Canadian babes!) That covers roles like chauffeur, chef, childcare provider, cleaner, nurse, and household manager. And that’s before factoring in overtime, emotional labor, and crisis management (like when someone dumps glitter all over the playroom… I’ll let you guess who did that).

We work around the clock, with little to no breaks, and still get up the next morning ready to do it all again.

So when you see a career gap, don’t assume there was a lack of ambition. Often, that gap was a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and time management. A real-world PHD in multitasking and crisis response.

Research from The Journal of Family Issues shows that single parents develop advanced decision-making and organizational skills out of sheer necessity as they are managing competing demands and limited resources with precision and creativity. We’re pros at prioritizing, delegating, and thinking five steps ahead, because there’s no safety net. We also have Plan B C, D, E, F, G on backup because we know darn well something will mis-align and will need to pivot at some point.

Those same skills are the heartbeat of my professional world today. In hospitality, where the pace is relentless and every detail matters, I thrive because I’ve lived a life that demanded organization, empathy, and composure under pressure. As a bartender, key holder, and volunteer convenor for the Flamborough Hockey Association, I lead with heart… building teams, creating community, and making sure everyone feels seen and valued.

My career gap didn’t hold me back. It shaped me into the leader I am now.

When you hire a mother with a career gap, you’re not hiring someone who’s been idle. You’re hiring someone who’s mastered logistics, nurtured emotional intelligence, and knows how to keep a team (or a family) moving forward no matter the obstacles.

The career gap isn’t a setback. It’s an enlightenment period.
A chapter of rediscovery, growth, and grit.

So the next time you see that gap on a résumé, look closer. You might just find the most resourceful, motivated, and adaptable candidate you’ll ever hire.