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My year is up

1
Last February I began my maternity leave, I assumed I would have all the time in the world until I would have to go back to work. However, the return date is now creeping up on myself and I am having to consider all the pros and cons to returning to the working world.

My debate

Pros
1. Yay! I get part of my identity back, I won’t be labelled as just a mother but a career woman too.
2. I can earn my own money again.

Cons
1. I actually don’t like the idea of leaving my baby with a complete stranger and for them to be looking after her, when I

SelfishMother.com
2
should be.
2. I will not be able to return to a full time contract because childcare fees for a full week are to costly.
3. Will my work allow my contract to be reduced to part time? When my role and workload are so demanding.
4. My travelling hours to work will increase per day. Childless, I spend 3 hours per day travelling to work and back. Now with having a child, I will also be dropping and picking her up from childcare, this will increase my travelling to 4 hours per day. An estimate based on the hopes that southeastern and the tube have no
SelfishMother.com
3
delays – very wishful thinking!
6. Paying for my travel fares, another expense on the household bills.
7. I WILL MISS MY BABY!

Over the last year, I have literally moaned constantly about wanting to return to my career. I have eagerly awaited to return to the challenges of my workload in my role, rather than the challenges of breast feeding or weening or learning to change a bum with a wriggle monster. However, as time has gone on, my mind has changed and my little lady comes before a wage and career status. So, I have emailed the boss man,

SelfishMother.com
4
requesting part time hours, working from home. In the hope to initiate a healthy balance between home and working life for my little family. Wish me luck 🙂

My personal advice to any parent debating the pros and cons of returning to work after having a baby are – to put yourself and your family first. Organise your finances, do you have to return full time? How about reducing your hours or working more flexible hours. Speak to your line manger and hr department to seek out the options that are available. Research whether your entitled to any financial

SelfishMother.com
5
help from the government to support child care costs to return to work. Research and investigate professional and trust worthy child care services that you are going to feel comfortable and happy with, to leave your child in their care or discuss childcare arrangements with family/friends. Have a plan of action or trial runs to ease the transition – ironic coming from the person who has left it last minute to consider and sort out all these factors lol.

Lastly, if your in a stable financial position to do so, extend your maternity leave or QUIT your

SelfishMother.com
6
job and just enjoy being a mummy and taking a career break.

Jade/Coultons Crafts x

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- 17 Jan 16

Last February I began my maternity leave, I assumed I would have all the time in the world until I would have to go back to work. However, the return date is now creeping up on myself and I am having to consider all the pros and cons to returning to the working world.

My debate

Pros
1. Yay! I get part of my identity back, I won’t be labelled as just a mother but a career woman too.
2. I can earn my own money again.

Cons
1. I actually don’t like the idea of leaving my baby with a complete stranger and for them to be looking after her, when I should be.
2. I will not be able to return to a full time contract because childcare fees for a full week are to costly.
3. Will my work allow my contract to be reduced to part time? When my role and workload are so demanding.
4. My travelling hours to work will increase per day. Childless, I spend 3 hours per day travelling to work and back. Now with having a child, I will also be dropping and picking her up from childcare, this will increase my travelling to 4 hours per day. An estimate based on the hopes that southeastern and the tube have no delays – very wishful thinking!
6. Paying for my travel fares, another expense on the household bills.
7. I WILL MISS MY BABY!

Over the last year, I have literally moaned constantly about wanting to return to my career. I have eagerly awaited to return to the challenges of my workload in my role, rather than the challenges of breast feeding or weening or learning to change a bum with a wriggle monster. However, as time has gone on, my mind has changed and my little lady comes before a wage and career status. So, I have emailed the boss man, requesting part time hours, working from home. In the hope to initiate a healthy balance between home and working life for my little family. Wish me luck 🙂

My personal advice to any parent debating the pros and cons of returning to work after having a baby are – to put yourself and your family first. Organise your finances, do you have to return full time? How about reducing your hours or working more flexible hours. Speak to your line manger and hr department to seek out the options that are available. Research whether your entitled to any financial help from the government to support child care costs to return to work. Research and investigate professional and trust worthy child care services that you are going to feel comfortable and happy with, to leave your child in their care or discuss childcare arrangements with family/friends. Have a plan of action or trial runs to ease the transition – ironic coming from the person who has left it last minute to consider and sort out all these factors lol.

Lastly, if your in a stable financial position to do so, extend your maternity leave or QUIT your job and just enjoy being a mummy and taking a career break.

Jade/Coultons Crafts x

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