None of the women spoken to works a strict 9am to 5pm day. Almost all have children and say balancing family with work develops organisational skills. I believe a working mother has to be organised to get to work on time and do all the things they do. Helen Southey, managing director of Helen Southey House of Travel, brought up a deaf son while running a business and looking after her parents. It's amazing how much time you can actually make.
Women seem to have a lot more stamina - it stems from having babies.
Ms Wilkinson says she often feels like telling her children she can't be Mum until after 6pm. Women who stop to have family are also more open to reskilling, which is an asset in today's working environment, Ms Baron says. Women who have had to make time for family, work and themselves are often able to concentrate on several things at once, she says. Whereas someone operating in a male way may only concentrate on one thing at a time. Mrs Southey says women think more rationally, and are more likely to put themselves in the worker's position when making a decision.