Working mums...

[Bee7]

I'm still only in the very early stages of pregnancy but already people are asking me about my plans to return to work after maternity leave (which realistically won't be for nearly another two years!) Even so, it's something that i've been thinking about and just wondered how many of you ladies managed to get back to work full time. And what options there are out there for childcare. I think in my current job i would probably look at going back part time - it's a nice enough job but its only office work, not particularly well paid and not an area i'm passionate about. But even if i were to go back part time i would probably have to rely on the help of family with childcare and possibly paid childcare too. Then there's all the possible benefits (tax credits/income support etc) that can be affected between the difference of working 2 or 3 extra hours a week.

Before i fell pregnant i was also looking at potential careers in writing/journalism. And i'm also interested in teaching but although i already have a degree, I'd still need to complete a teaching qualification to get into this. Has anyone managed to study/qualify for anything like this with a small babba? At the moment work isn't my priority but i'm just trying to think ahead. I'd like to still be able to have a solid career and provide a comfortable upbringing for my child xxx

 

[BabyBrain]

This is something I have to think about too. My sister was very lucky and our parents looked after her boys when she went back to work but as they are both now in poor health I probably won't be so lucky. I only work four hours a day really unless I want to do more so it might not be too hard to get childcare but its soooo expensive round here.
My first nephew arrived in the middle of my sister's masters degree and she managed to complete it ok. Its not exactly the same but I managed to finish my qualifications as an Egyptologist last year through distance learning so anything is possible xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[MrsHakaxjdx]

i am full time, its appealing for me to got back part time after this one. with my second child i went back to work when he was six weeks old. Now my life has changed, my oldest has gone to school and i want to be able to take him to school and pick him up, do stupid stuff like school assembly and plays x

 

[hellywelly]

As a teacher I would say trying to do a PGCE (years teaching qualification) and have a small baby would be pretty nightmarish - it was bad enough when I was a 23 year old with no responsibility!! And it's often full time. Not sure about other teaching qualifications though. Have you thought about a TEFL qualification? Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Think you could probably do this as distance learning and the teaching when you were qualified would be a lot more flexible (e.g. one to one tuition and evening classes etc) so might fit in better with childcare? Just a thought.

 

[BevG]

im just starting out studying to be a nurse, its 2 yrs part time college for me to fit around my job which i will do part time after mat leave then 2 or 3 yrs full time at uni with placements in hospitals etc. my mum will look after babs as will my OH and brothers. im lucky in that way

 

[Piglet10]

I wen back to work full time bout 6 months ago, I hate it!!

It's easy to think how much extranincome there will be but do t forget to factor in new clothes make up lunches parking fuel childcare costs,

I am currently contemplating being a sahm again as personally no amount of money buys hearing my daughters firsts!

Defo each to their own! My sil loves being back at work an has left her 6 month old full time, he already has a red raw rash under his chin where he's not being kept dry constantly, it doesn't bother her but It would
Me, he isn't going to get the care he would at home IMHO xx

 

[Bee7]

Thanks for sharing girlies. I had heard that the PGCE was really hard work. I guess doing a part time course over two years might be easier but i know there's a lot of experience within schools needed and again, it all depends on whether or not i can go back to work full time. Ideally i'd like to do some freelance writing from home but that's a pretty unreliable source of income. Why can't i just write a novel while baby sleeps, get published, get rich...end of!

 

[TORino]

I will be a working mum. I'll probably have to go back to work pretty quickly afterwards too seeing as I am the higher earner.

It gets me down a bit but I don't really have a choice so I'll have to suck it up.

 

[TashaWink]

you should look into Teach First. here's some info about it maybe it'd be something to consider
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teach_First

 

[Geminiblue]

I always thought I would go back to work full time....then I had my LO and all that changed. I didnt want to leave him, I didnt want to have a child and have someone else bringing him up but I was in the fortunate position that whilst my OH doesnt earn a fortune we managed, we cut back on everything and have got by and had a great life. When LO was 2 I got a job one day a week and I do overtime whenever I can or they offer so I will be going back part time this time BUT honestly....I iwll wait to see how I feel as to when, it all changed for me once I had my baby in my arms. You cant predict how youre going to be whether its your first or fourth child xxx

 

[littlemiss83]

I wasn't able to go back full time at first because the nursery fees were too much & I literally couldn't afford to go full time. So I went back part time which was great as it was the best of both worlds.

I now work full time & will continue to do so after this baby is born - I have had a promotion in work since my first child & its now worthwhile to work full time.

I think its probably one of the hardest things ever - to work when having a baby, wether its full or part time. Its not just being at work all day, but its the whole...coming home tired, not being able to do as much at night, having to sort out alternative arrangements when baby is not well & unable to go to nursery & the problems only get worse when they start primary school. Its worth considering what will happen when they start school, with starting/finishing school & also school holidays, I know it seems like a life-time away when your pg or have very young children, but trust me, it flys in like you wouldn't believe.

 

[Cazza]

I work 3 days a week and will have to go back when Bubs arrives.

We have worked out that we can do one day a week at a Childminder then either move my days or OH shifts to cover the other two days. It's going to involve some juggling but hey ho!!!

Luckily I love my job but even now I'd love to be a SAHM!!