Returning to Work

the Babble Staff

Few parenting issues involve as much culturally inflicted guilt as when and how (and in some circles, if) a mother should return to work. The headlines for some of the articles included here hint at the anxiety surrounding the topic, e.g. "How Can I Leave My Baby?" Politics aside, working is a necessity as well as a desire for most mothers, and their babies tend to be none the worse for it. Some say mothers who've recently returned to work find that parenting and work skills are mutually reinforcing. Of course, parents can take turns at staying home with a baby. Many families find that a stay-at-home-dad situation can reinforce the father-child bond. Many mothers also believe that exposure to different caregivers benefits their child's social development. There are also creative solutions for those lucky enough to have more open-ended job schedules and work environments. Some workplaces allow women to bring babies to work, while others provide the option of working from home, as detailed in the Mothering.com article.

"As you find your way as a mother and a working woman, other employed mothers will be your best teachers. [. . .] It's natural to feel uneasy or sad about your baby's closeness to that warm, nurturing provider you worked so hard to find. Working mothers who look back on the first year, however, tend to feel that being with other people was a positive for their child. [. . .] And babies still know who their parents are and are fondest of them." ...read the full article

"Juggling career and family is challenging whether your office is miles from home or in your basement. But if you're working at home, you'll need to experiment to find what works best for you and your family. The big question: Will you accomplish more if you set uninterrupted weekly business hours, or can you manage a less predictable schedule?" ...read the full article

"If you've been on maternity leave, going back to work may be one of the toughest parts of new motherhood. Just getting out the door in the morning poses a huge logistical challenge, plus you may be coping with feelings of loss and guilt. Here are some ways to make the transition easier — from moms who've been there." ...read the full article

"Welcoming work places and flexible schedules help moms make ends meet without leaving baby behind. [. . .] The nonprofit sector of the American economy was largely created and designed by women, and it continues to provide many women more family-friendly working arrangements that ease their struggles in balancing family life, financial needs, and career ambitions." ...read the full article

"Whether you decide to work full time or part time is a very personal decision, similar to the one you made about staying home in the first place. You and your family must make the decision based on the needs of everyone involved. [. . .] When you decide that it's the right time to return to work you must determine whether you want to return to the same career." ...read the full article