Are you thinking of leaving work after maternity leave? I get it. I was in your shoes not so long ago and I did it. For me, it was the best decision I ever made as I was able to enjoy 2 heavenly years as a Stay-at-Home Mom and then start my 3 Blogs. It’s been wonderful.
Read on for more options that may work for you. #LeavingWorkAfterMaternityLeave
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When Maternity Leave Makes You Question Work
It is often the significant events in our lives that make us sit back and question whether we are getting everything we want out of our careers. Of course, there are few things more significant that having a baby and for many new moms this can be a time of shifting priorities in life, which can make our current employment seem less that satisfactory.
However, before you make any big decisions, read the post below and find out about some of the main opportunities open to you. Just make sure to pick the one not that everyone else expects, or want, but serves you the best. After all, happy Momma, happy baby!
Change your Job
One option that you can consider while on maternity leave is to change your job for something similar but in another company, perhaps one that lets you work remotely from home? In fact, sometimes this can be enough to provide you with some new challenges or colleagues that have that chosen the same path.
Of course, you will have to ensure that you work out you contracted time in your old job, otherwise, in some places, you are liable to pay back some of your maternity pay.
Retrain in something you love
Another option that you may wish to consider when on maternity leave is to take some time to retrain in a career that you love. Many people choose to do this in fields that are parallel to the one they are already in, such as moving from teaching to training.
However, don’t feel like you have to follow this pattern if you don’t want to. In fact, with online university courses that you can fit in around other responsibilities, you can pursue any field you choose from GIS career paths to nursing and medicine. Just be sure that the one you pick will enrich your working life before you jump in with both feet.
Be a SAHM or WAHM
Next, it may be that you are considering the option of becoming a Stay-at-Home-Mom (SAHM) for a while. Raising a child is such an essential and draining task that this can be very good for many new Moms, and should not be looked at as any less valuable than your other choices.
Of course, financial stability often has a large part to play in this decision, and many women also worry that they will be harming their careers if they choose this option. It is vital to remember that there are many degrees between full time working mom and SAHM that you can choose.
If you’re needing to contribute to the finances at home but you still want to have as much as possible with your children, it might be time to become a or Work-at-Home-Mom (WAHM).
Working part-time can be another good solution for busy moms because it provides them with time at work, pursuing their career and in the company of adults. While also allowing them to be there for the kids, supervising their development and being active in their lives in ways such as doing the night feeds and later on attending plays and teacher conferences at school. Something that makes it a robust and practical option for moms that are questioning whether to go to work full time.
Are you feeling more relaxed now about the idea of leaving work after maternity leave? I know it’s a huge decision to make but once the decision is made, you may find, like I did, that things start falling into place. Which reminds me of that beautiful line in The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
