How Motherhood Shaped Me As Better Tester

Hello there!!

We hope that the title intrigued you and made you read more about this post.

Welcome to this blog post, where I can share some interesting correlations between Motherhood and software testing. 

Being a Software Tester is more about a mindset, than the actions. Once you are a tester, you are a tester forever. Unknowingly that’s applied to all parts of our life. Being a mother is a life-changing experience that has a profound impact on a person’s life. In my case, not only did it change me personally, but it also influenced my career as a software tester.

Motherhood has taught me some important lessons that I have applied to my work, and it has helped me develop valuable skills that have made me a better tester. In this blog post, I will share my experience of how motherhood has shaped me as a better software tester and how they have influenced my approach to software testing. 

Balancing Responsibilities

As a mother, I have to juggle my responsibilities with my work as a Software tester. I have to do both simultaneously and ensure that I am not neglecting either of them. My love for my kid and work is unwavering, and I strive to strike a balance between both. After the maternity break, it was again tough to resume work.

But with a little bit of planning and organization, I was able to make a smooth transition back to my work. Of course, my employer and team were very supportive and helped me manage my responsibilities.

Let’s see in detail the valuable skills which are in common for both Motherhood and software testing.

Improved Communication Skills

As a mother, I understand just how important communication is – explaining something complex to my kid or working collaboratively with other parents on school projects.

When it comes to software testing, communication is essential. Speaking to kids takes a different strategy and vocabulary than speaking to adults. Similarly, it is necessary to use a distinct approach and strategy when informing developers and stakeholders about issues and test findings. Clarifying issues and their possible effects on the application is crucial.

In software testing, written communication is just as important as verbal communication. As a mother, I have learned to write clear and concise notes and instructions for my kid’s caregivers. And also being so precise in ordering food and groceries. This skill has helped me write clear and precise bug reports and test cases.

Prioritization

Planning and organizing carefully are crucial while juggling the responsibilities of motherhood. As a result, becoming a mother has also taught me how to be very efficient and organized. I have used this expertise in my profession as a software tester to ensure to use this expertise in my profession as a software tester to make sure that my testing approach is structured and effective. This has aided in my ability to recognize problems and express them to my team effectively. Additionally, it has helped me efficiently prioritize my work so that I may initially concentrate on the most important things.

Listening Skills

I’ve also become better at listening intently as a result of being a mother. Parents must pay attention to their kids and comprehend their needs and concerns. The same rule applies to software testing, where it’s critical to pay attention to your team’s and stakeholders’ concerns and feedback.

As a software tester, it is important to ask open-ended questions to understand the application under test better and allow stakeholders to provide more detailed explanations. Such questions help to gain more information that can be used to identify defects in the software. I spotted potential problems and resolved them before they escalated by paying close attention when I was listening. This has aided me in forging closer bonds with my team members and ensuring that their requirements are satisfied.

The Importance of Patience

Being a mother has taught me patience – lots of it! Parenting calls for a lot of patience, mainly when dealing with newborns and toddlers who are still learning to express their needs. It takes enormous amounts of patience and persistence to deal with temper outbursts or restless nights. As a mother, I’ve learned firsthand the importance of patience.

Similarly, testing requires patience as well. Because the software testing process can be time-consuming and tedious. patience is vital when dealing with complex issues or difficult stakeholders. By maintaining my composure and patience throughout the testing phase, I can discover issues more quickly and effectively. 

Finding and fixing bugs can be difficult, but being persistent and patient is crucial to ensure a high-quality product. Patience is an essential trait for both mothers and software testers. 

Attention to Detail

I’ve discovered the benefit of paying attention to detail as a mother. Little things like a lost toy or missed snack can significantly impact a kid’s day. I’ve developed a keen attention to detail. The importance of engagement with detail has permeated every aspect of my daily life, from organizing and arranging my kids’ schedules to ensuring they eat nutritious, well-balanced meals.

In testing, paying close attention to the little things may make a difference. It’s crucial to properly test each feature and functionality of an application to make sure it satisfies the requirements of the end user. The tiniest things require close attention. Future problems may arise due to a single overlooked defect or error. Due to my attention to detail, I can find these defects early, assist in their debugging process, provide feedback to developers, and ensure the optimal user experience.

Furthermore, my attention to detail enables me to completely test every component of the software. I can guarantee that every component of the software is functioning properly, from the user interface components to the back-end operations.

Empathy

Being a mother has made me more empathetic towards users and their needs. Just as I have to anticipate the needs of my child, I also have to anticipate the needs of users when testing software. This has helped me become a better tester by recognizing potential pain points for users.

Testers need to understand the value of what they are testing and care about the impact of the product on its users. Showing empathy towards the stakeholders and understanding their frustration can help create trust and make the process smoother enabling testers to work collaboratively and efficiently.

Multitasking abilities

Mothers are often juggling multiple tasks at once, from preparing meals while assisting with homework or folding laundry while on a conference call. This skill extends well to software testing, as testers must work on several projects simultaneously to work on several projects at once.

They must set priorities, use their time wisely, and meet deadlines for outcomes. Women frequently excel in time management and multitasking. We learned how to multitask constantly while being moms, and we have carried this talent over into our working life.

I am also aware that multitasking is only sometimes successful. Depending on the nature of the assignment, I choose whether to concentrate on one or multitask on two or more.

Adaptability

Being a mother requires ongoing adaptation to novel obstacles and schedule adjustments. Motherhood has taught me to be flexible and adaptive. As a parent, you must be prepared to adjust to shifting conditions since children can be unpredictable.

Similarly to this, it takes flexibility to cope with shifting needs or unforeseen problems during software testing. I have been able to react fast to shifting conditions and come up with creative solutions to issues by being adaptive and flexible. This has encouraged me to think creatively about testing and develop fresh, more effective working methods.

Since the pandemic, employers increasingly provide flexible working hours, and remote work has become more popular. This inspired me to be more adaptable as a consequence, and I could better schedule my motherly duties. Additionally, being able to work from home has helped me achieve a good work-life balance since I can take breaks as required.

Time Management

Effective time management is one of the main challenges mothers have. I have developed time management skills that have helped me combine my career and personal life as a mother and software tester. My day is organized based on my task priorities. I make sure to schedule time for my family, my job, and my passions. I utilize tools like calendars and to-do lists to manage my schedule and ensure I am on top of all my responsibilities. Being able to effectively manage time ensures that the software is tested thoroughly and on schedule. 

By mastering time management skills, I have become more productive at work, and at the same time, I can spend quality time with my family. It has further assisted me in avoiding burnout by ensuring that I take breaks as necessary and keep a good work-life balance. Being a mother has given me priceless time management lessons that have improved my abilities as a software tester. Anyone trying to be more effective in their personal or professional lives needs these skills, not just working parents.

Tasks Delegation

Doing everything yourself is not only a time waster but also a huge exhaustion. As a mother, you cannot be everywhere at the same time. It was hard initially to accept this, but later I realized the importance of delegation. So, once I plan my tasks I will ask for my partner’s help. Sometimes, it extends to other family members and friends. 

Similarly, as a Test Lead, I can’t do everything by myself. I need my team to help me. I have been lucky to have a great team who have helped me in this journey. Based on their capabilities, I will be splitting and assigning the tasks to them. We can achieve greater things if we work as a team.

Practical Tips for Working Mothers

• Create a Schedule and Prioritize: Using a calendar or to-do list to prioritize tasks and create a schedule can help manage competing responsibilities related to work and family. From there, one can also devote time each day to certain tasks and focus on one task at a time.

• Balance Work and Personal Life: It is important to work during your work hours and then give appropriate attention to your family during off hours.

• Take Care of Yourself: Self-care is important. Many working mothers feel overwhelmed and overburdened, which can seriously affect their physical and mental health. Make it a priority to take care of yourself by eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep, and carving out “me time” for yourself. Find time to do something that relaxes and reenergizes you, like going for a walk or taking a hot bath.

• Reach out for help: You don’t have to juggle everything alone. Don’t forget to ask for help from your partner, family, and friends.

• Utilize Available Support Resources: It is important to find support from family and friends, as well as to take advantage of local and online resources such as virtual learning and free activities for kids.

• Set Boundaries: Working mothers may need to set boundaries to handle all their responsibilities. From asking for flexible work hours to setting aside uninterrupted family time, establishing clear boundaries can help to create balance.

• Make the most of your time: Managing both parenting and work responsibilities can be overwhelming. Learn to make the most of the time you have available to focus on both your family and work commitments.

• Focus on what you can control: Working motherhood is full of challenges—but you can’t control everything. Focus your energy on the things you can control, and don’t feel guilty about letting go of others.

Conclusion: Reaping the Rewards of Being a Mom in the Workplace

Motherhood is always seen as a hindrance to jobs, and we never see beyond that. The truth is, Moms, can excel in professional life based on the skills they learn during motherhood.  

In conclusion, being a mother has taught me many valuable lessons that have helped me grow and develop as a software tester/lead. Motherhood has made me better equipped to understand user needs and provide quality assurance for software products. All the characteristics I have developed as a parent, such as patience, attention to detail, communication, and adaptability, have translated well into my work as a tester. Due to this, I approach testing with more empathy and comprehension of the demands of the end user.

Being a Tester helped me to become a better mother and vice versa!! 

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