DO YOU GO BACK TO WORK OR NOT?

OK, you have your baby now, so do you return to work or not? This is a dilemma facing a lot of new mothers.

Many women who planned on having their baby and returning to work right after maternity leave (which adoptive mothers are entitled to as well, by the way!), did not realize what a gut-wrenching decision they would have to go through.

Having perhaps established a sound career for themselves, they are now faced with difficult emotions. If you don’t return soon, will your career be ruined? Because of the fast moving pace of technology and information, it is often difficult to ‘slot’ right back where you left off. (Depending on your line of work)

There are steps that you can take to overcome this obstacle. If you are in an area that changes at a fast pace, such as IT, it may be a good idea to brush up on your skills before returning.

If your work allows and if you have all the technology in place at home, you may possibly be able to continue working from home on a full-time or part-time basis.

Or how about considering freelance work, even if it’s only while you adapt to being a mom and having a career to see if you are able to cope with both. Never underestimate the workload of being a mom!

If you decide to not return, are you able to afford staying at home? Preferably sit with your partner and together analyse areas where you are able to cut down. At this point, you need to consider the expense of working! Quite often, this is a lot higher than one imagines. You may be surprised to find that your take home pay is not as much as you envisioned. Take into account the cost of daycare, transport, petrol (gas), au-pair perhaps, clothing expense for working mothers is a lot higher than for stay at home mothers.

Also when returning to work, the stress of getting your child ready early to be dropped off at day-care (which is often transferred to your child). Who will care for your child if he is unwell? Do you have a back-up plan? Do you have an empathic employer?

Whatever you decide, both you and your partner should have an amicable agreement so that there is no resentment from either side.

Should you now decide that you will return to work, ask your partner to share in certain duties around the house and getting baby ready in the mornings so that all parties are able to get to their destinations as stress-free as possible!

And if you decide to be a stay-at-home mother, well, the benefits are tremendous! You will grow with your child and your child will have many, many benefits from having you there!

Whatever you decide … if it works for you, enjoy it.