School schedules, meal plans, tantrums.. None of that evokes even the idea of “HR.”
Suit-and-tie, policies, salaries..
That’s more like it, right?
After all, HR isn’t exactly about making sure the kids get to school on time. Or is it..?
Think about it for a second: Household budget, interpersonal conflicts, family wellbeing..Doesn’t it sound familiar?
My mom, like many stay-at-home moms, is not just managing a household. She’s essentially running a business. And let me tell you, she’s doing it better than most HR directors I know. (sorry dad)
HR is essentially keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes in every aspect– financial, social…etc
Far beyond the formal attire and regulations, HR is the force that keeps operations flowing seamlessly by handling disputes, supporting staff, and ensuring the organization runs without a hitch. And the more I observe the world of work through my father—and more importantly, the world of Motherhood through my mother’s—the more I see the striking similarities.
“MAMA SHE TOOK MY BRACELET AGAIN!” is pretty much “I can’t work with Hassan anymore.”
Now, I understand if you’re wondering how managing a toddler’s temper tantrum is anything like conflict resolution in the workplace, and here’s where things get interesting.
Motherhood, like HR, is the ultimate blend of empathy, management, and adaptability. It’s not just about enforcing rules and maintaining order; it’s about understanding each individual’s needs, providing the right support at the right time, and constantly tweaking your approach to make sure the family (or the team) thrives.
Let’s focus on conflict resolution since it’s one of the things my parents seem to do the most between employees and well..me and my sister.
In most businesses, HR is the one who steps in when there’s a disagreement. They mediate, they listen, and they work to find a resolution that works for everyone. At home, that’s mom. Whether it’s sorting out sibling disputes over who gets to wear that piece of clothing first or negotiating bedtime for the 15th time that evening, she’s playing the role of both mediator and emotional support specialist. It’s about finding balance and ensuring everyone feels heard—skills that any HR director would say are crucial for creating a harmonious environment.
Then there’s empathy—a pillar of modern HR.
Any professional worth their salt knows that empathy is key in addressing employee concerns. The same applies to moms, except instead of hearing complaints about a project deadline, she’s soothing a child who’s afraid of the dark or patiently explaining why they can’t have a big bowl of rice at midnight. This emotional intelligence is at the heart of what makes moms not just great caregivers, but excellent managers. They’re able to read the room, understand what’s needed, and offer comfort when it’s most required.
Then there’s performance management. In HR, the goal is to get the best out of each employee, helping them grow and succeed in the workplace. At home, moms are doing the same thing. Whether it’s ensuring the kids complete their chores or encouraging them to pursue their hobbies and passions, moms are constantly motivating, guiding, and shaping their children into responsible individuals—just like HR is shaping employees into productive team members.
In fact, according to a 2021 study by the Center for American Progress, stay-at-home parents manage 94 hours of work per week, balancing everything from child-rearing to managing the household. This is the equivalent of running a full-time job and overtime—and just like HR, it often goes unrecognized. Yet without this “work,” the entire household would collapse. Moms are managing schedules, making tough decisions, and solving problems all day long. HR professionals do the same, albeit in a corporate setting with a tie instead of T-shirt.
But perhaps the most striking parallel is the balance between care and structure. As mentioned in my previous article “How HR Became the Office Therapist (Without a License)” Workplace management isn’t just about enforcing rules and policies; it’s about creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and understood. This is the secret sauce of effective management—and it’s something that stay-at-home moms have mastered. Moms provide the structure and discipline needed to keep everything running smoothly, while also offering the support and care that makes everyone feel secure and valued.
Of course, HR is also often associated with a sense of authority. And while you might get the illusion that fathers are the ones who embody that the most– you probably haven’t taken a moment to really see your mother. Though I doubt most Moroccans would disagree, Mothers are the ones calling the shots behind the scenes, making sure everyone stays on track, and stepping in when things start to fall apart. We see that in the way grown men put their heads down in affectionate submission towards their mothers. We catch it in the quick glance a man gives to his wife for approval.
And much like HR, mothers do it all with grace, empathy, and a level of multitasking that would make any corporate leader dizzy. When they’re not screaming their lungs out which is something I’m sure managers wish they could do everyday. Little bonus I guess.
It might not get the same recognition or fancy titles as HR professionals, but without their emotional labor, many families would fall apart. And “Mother” honestly sounds much more praiseworthy than “Director”. A certain ring of regality to it.
So, next time someone tries to tell you that HR is all about enforcing policies, remember that in many homes across the world, the real HR directors are probably wearing pajamas and managing the chaos of family life.
And trust me—if they had an HR department of their own, they’d be running the show like pros. when it comes to managing a team with varying needs, handling emotional situations, and juggling a million tasks at once, no one does it better than a mom. It’s a full-time job, 24/7, and yet it’s often the most underappreciated. The reality is, moms have been doing HR long before the term “human resources” even became a thing.
At the end of the day, the true essence of HR is nothing if not Motherhood’s elixir.
So, let’s give credit where it’s due. They deserve more than just a thank you; they deserve the title, the recognition, and the respect that comes with it. But they’ll probably tell you all they need is seeing you happy, which further proves my point.
So here’s to moms—the original HR directors!