Every mother is different; some may want to return to work as soon as possible after having children, while others will prefer to wait years before considering returning to work.
You must be prepared regardless of when you return to work (or whether you return at all).
Going too soon will be harmful to you and your child. Here are some things to think about before returning to the workplace.
Table of Contents
The Logistics
Before having kids, getting to work didn’t require much forethought or planning; you just stepped out the door and made your way to the train station or your car. Things change when kids enter the picture.
Depending on their age, you may need to arrange a drop-off at a nursery or childcare center first or figure out how to get them to school. Then there’s the matter of picking them up; can they get home on their own if they’re old enough, or do you need to be there? How will you be able to collect them if they are still too tiny to manage by themselves?
It’s important to iron out the details like this before starting a new career. If the cost or inconvenience of childcare is becoming too much to bear, you may want to broach the subject of telecommuting, working from home, or reduced hours.
Go Shopping
Don’t put undue pressure on yourself if you find that you can’t fit into the professional clothing you wore before you were pregnant. You should instead treat yourself to a shopping trip where you treat yourself to work clothes that make you feel fabulous. If you still need to wear maternity bras, make sure you shop for maternity bras that are comfortable and make you feel good.
Not only will you look amazing, but you’ll also feel confident and look forward to returning to work. A small incentive (so long as you don’t go crazy!) will help you feel better about this trying moment.
The Skills
After an extended absence from the workforce, you may feel a need to refresh your knowledge and abilities. You may have researched your ideal careers and found that entry-level positions call for a higher level of education or experience. Fortunately, this is another problem that can be readily remedied by enrolling in an online degree program. Take the course when it’s convenient for you and your family so you can add an impressive new credential to your resume upon completion.
Don’t rush things if getting the job, you desire is more about experience than education. Gain experience and self-assurance in a part-time position until you’re ready for full-time work. Gaining experience is more valuable than making a lot of money right now. This will give you an idea of whether you like working during the day instead of spending all your time with your kids.
Find Support
You’re not the only working mom out there, despite what it may sometimes feel like. Your conflicted feelings are shared by the millions of other women who, like you, are working outside the home. If you can find a group of ladies to confide in, you can maybe get some answers to your questions and maybe even lend a hand to someone else in the process.
The Internet is a wonderful starting point. There are probably several online communities where you can talk to individuals in a similar position to you and seek advice on how to go back into the workforce.
Once you’ve returned to work, take a moment to survey your surroundings. You can learn a lot from the other moms there about how they handle day care and other issues by simply asking them.
Choose The Right Time
Even if you think you must, you shouldn’t go back to work too soon. You will enjoy it much more if you wait until you are ready. If you go back too soon, you’ll feel too much guilt, exhaustion, and even self-doubt, and you’ll think you must leave again. If you go at the right time, these feelings might still be there, but they will be much easier to deal with.
Pick the right time for you, no matter what you do. For some, this will be as early as possible, for others, it will be as late as they can leave it. Still others won’t go back to work at all, or they won’t go back until their kids are grown. There is no right or wrong. What you do is up to you.
Talk About Flexible Work
If you find a job that seems like it would be good for you, don’t be afraid to ask about flexible hours if you thought that would help you. If you have the skills, knowledge, and qualifications required for the position and can show that you would be a real asset to the company, then the employer should consider this option.
Flexible work includes things like working part-time, starting or ending work late or early, sharing a job, working from home, and shortening the hours (working longer hours over fewer days)
Don’t feel like you must take a job that isn’t a good fit. If the employer says no to flexible work, don’t take the job because you would be unhappy there, which would affect your family and home life. It’s just not worth it, especially when there are so many more forward-thinking employers who understand why flexible work is the way of the future.
Remember that flexibility should go both ways, and if you want your employer to be flexible, there will be times when you need to be flexible too. When people work together like this, everyone will be happy.
Know Your Rights
Knowing your rights will help you to find the right job and be happy working in it. Make sure you know what you can and can’t do when it comes to your kids. You might be able to ask for more than you think.
If you want to have another child, this is even more important. What are your rights to pay and time off for giving birth? How long do you have to work somewhere before you can get the benefit? All of this is important to know so you can plan your career and your life at the same time and get the most out of both.
