To Work, or Not to Work

The milestone of having a child is truly a life-changing one, and it’s likely those closest to you haven’t let you forget it.

“Oooh, say goodbye to holidays for 18 years.”

“No more bathing in peace!”

And possibly the scariest of all “How are you planning to work around your baby?”

Let’s address the first 2:

Holidays – you will have them. They will either be family-friendly, and a little more expensive, or you’ll be leaving your bundle of joy with a relative for a week or so.

Baths/showers – ok, maybe this one is slightly true. But time your relaxation sessions well, and you can sneak in a 40 min soak while your small one naps. Or get the other half to take them anywhere that’s not the bathroom.

Now, working around your baby is a scary concept to figure out. Most believe (and it’s true with some industries/jobs) that you must choose either career or baby. While sometimes the case, it’s not your only option.

With childcare being so expensive (why pay for someone to look after your child when you make less than you pay them??) many employers are happy to work with mums and dads to find a solution that works for all parties.

The first thing to do is to make a list of your priorities. Think of things like ‘time with your family’ or ‘getting a promotion in 2023’ or ‘expanding family’. Write down these priorities, goals, all the things you want to do, and finally – put them in order.

Once you’ve done that, you should have a general idea of where to begin. If you know that you want to get back to your career but want to see the milestones that happen in the first 2 years of your baby’s life, maybe re-align your vision. Focus less on getting back to the role you left, and more on keeping yourself sharp. Take a course you can do in the evenings to stay in the game or look for a part-time work from home role.

There are always options outside the box and finding your priorities can help you spot them.

If you decide work is the best path for you, begin designing your ideal work-life. Remember, you spend 8 hours a day working, so make sure that the work is right for you. Doing something you enjoy can help you to maximise your happiness outside of work, meaning you give the best to your role and your family.

Struggling with seeing your current role as flexible? It’s worth a shot at speaking to those in charge and finding out your options.

Smart businesses are aware of how much you bring them, and don’t want you to have to give up your life for work.

If you’re thinking of testing the waters and trying something new, here’s a list of our top training courses for parents! From easy to transition into, to perfect for working from home or for yourself, if you’re stuck for ideas, you’re sure to find something here: