The decision of whether or not to go back to work is one of the most significant ones that pretty much any mother can make. For some, it’s an obvious choice and the only question is how soon it happens, and for others, it’s something that’s completely out of the question. However, for most of us, it’s a complicated and difficult choice that takes a great deal of time and consideration to come to terms with. With that in mind, here are just a few questions that you might want to ask yourself when deciding whether or not to go back to work after having a baby.
Can you afford it?
This might seem like kind of a paradoxical question. After all, isn’t one of the major factors in going back to work bringing in more money? Well, the truth is that going back to work can actually be surprisingly costly. For one thing, there are childcare costs to consider. If your child isn’t in school yet then the cost of childcare can be pretty steep if you’re not careful. There’s also the matter of things like the impact it may have on your partner’s career if you have one. If you go back to work will they need to step back from theirs? How is that going to impact your family finances? These are the kinds of questions that people tend to forget about but are essential to making the right choice for your family.
Do you have access to childcare?
Childcare is often one of the most significant deciding factors over whether or not to go back to work. After all, if you can’t find anyone to look after your child then you’re not exactly going to be in a position to go back to work at all, are you? Finding the right childcare, like childcare services by UrbanSitter, is essential. You need to know that your child is with someone you can trust and that you can rely on.
Do you want to?
Far too often people assume that this question needs to take a back seat to the many other concerns involved but that’s simply not the case. The truth is that you need to know that you’re making the right decision for yourself. If you go back to work simply because you feel as though you should then you’re going to end up feeling frustrated and resentful. The same applies to staying at home just because you think that’s what you’re supposed to do.
The most important thing to remember is that, no matter what anyone else might say or think, this is your decision. The opinions of people outside your family simply don’t matter. The only person who can truly know what’s best for you and your family is you and you need to do what you think is right. Sure, doing your research and weighing up your options is always the right thing to do, but in the end, you need to make your own decision over whether or not to go back to work.
