Returning Back to Work Post-pregnancy: Stuck in Dilemma?

After being through one of the most memorable and unparalleled experiences of your lifetime of having a child, you may wonder regarding the fate of your career. The query can more bother you, if you are a woman who is inclined towards a rather independent life. Most of the mothers, who had spent some time working/on job, find themselves in a dilemma and have to undergo brainstorming sessions to arrive at a meaningful conclusion.

This is a subjective decision and varies with individuals depending upon the choice and governed largely by circumstances. While the final decision rests with you, keeping yourself open to criticism can reduce the guilt feeling that may come along your way at any point of time (which normally do comes, however, hard you try to avoid it). Female psychology is supposed to be working on different lines as compared to the male psychology (remember the book Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus). There have been endless discussions about differences in male psychology with respect to the female psychology that adding to it would be deviating from the subject.

 

There are certain decisions if life which can best be judged and ascertained after actually implementing them. When such a situation comes, it is advisable to use wisdom guided by experience. You can act according to your calculations but a beginner should always take in advises. The following discussion may guide you in your vital decision, but the bottom line is that you have to be prepared for the best and the worst in life. Playing blame games can give only temporary relief but at the end of the day, your accountability is significant. Be fair and committed to whatever you chose to do, work or home.

 

Know your portfolio: Individuals have their particular needs and are normally guided by certain ideas. If you are among the ones who need to earn in order to support your family, the entire discussion ends. Your family needs your financial support, for any reason, and that cannot be compromised with. If this is your situation (of course not a deliberately one), the choice is only one – work. The income coming to your family can be insufficient as against the needs and direct you to work. But extravagant and comfortable lifestyles are meant to be different!

Set your priorities: Judge your priorities in life. This is very important because this is not an excuse which is given. For you, home can come before everything else. This does not mean that if you are working, you are not prioritizing your family and home. If you feel that children cannot be properly groomed with their mother working, think harder.

Take assistance: You need not ask for help when you can yourself accomplish all the tasks, right from the kitchen to changing nappies. If you have decided that you need to go back to work, arrange help in the form of daycare or any you are most comfortable being with. Discuss the matter with your friends and relatives and they can give you genuine feedback. Do not hesitate in taking help from your spouse because he is your better-half and can tip you for better and consolidated work. Grandmothers can give some of the best advises of your life. Your employer can also help you in this matter till you give consistent results.

Tame your time: Managing the same 24 hours which you spent at home and now divided between the office and home is extremely vital. Your decision can prove to be lop-sided, if you fail on this front. By planning meticulously, you can avoid many undesired situations and trouble to yourself and your family members equally. Reduce work load, if you apparently cannot cope up with it. You would only exhaust your energy by working more than your capacity. You can begin your job for reduced hours and then gradually gain speed. Do not try to give your entire energy the first day itself.

Take care of yourself as well: It may seem a very difficult task (may be one of the most difficult tasks after having a child). Keep aside some time for yourself from the deadlines. You can revitalize only when you relax. Your brain also needs some rest, may be only for a few minutes a day.

Take the decision based on your parameters and requirements for you have to go by the consequences. Once you have taken the decision, do not let guilt overpower your decision (as is often the case). Think logically and assess your pros and cons. Weigh them judiciously and then act accordingly. Your entire family is like a tree and any unwanted element can shake it from the root.

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About the author:  Amanda Kidd is an avid writer and blogger. Amongst all, parenting
excites her the most and currently she is working on various aspects associated with
toddlers like baby names, baby foods etc.