BACK TO WORK; YAY or NAY???

I always imagined that when I became a mum, I would either be a stay at home mum till my children were 5 years old or work part time.

Since graduating, I have always worked. I even worked while I was at college and university. I have enjoyed working, work has always had its challenges but non the less I like being employed. I like being busy.

Maternity leave has been great but towards the end, I started to get a bit bored. I began to crave adult conversations more and more. lol.

I had planned to return to work part time, I had a meeting with my manager and the options available to me for part time work were not all that appealing. For one, I would have to work more Saturdays than I worked when I was full time and I would not be able to return to the shop that I had worked among other issues.

Just as an aside, when I was looking at some of my options for going back to work, I realised quite a few people I had trained with had become managers and were taking on larger roles in the company. I felt bad. As though I had missed a lot while I had been off. Before I got comfortable in my self pity, I was quickly reminded that I had not been sleeping the past year, I had a baby and was off caring for her. This is a significant life achievement or event which ever way you want to look at it. And I should not compare myself to my colleagues. Everyones race is different.

Now back to my decision to go back to work. My husband and I spoke and weighed all the options. We spoke about how we would need to manage time wisely and adjust to make time for more family activities when we were both off. Another thing we spoke about was what I would be doing with Ally if I worked part time. I didn't just want a situation were I would just leave her in front of the TV or with her toys while I do my house chores or work on my computer. Then she might as well be at nursery.

I was speaking to my brother and he reminded me that our mum always worked full time and we turned out right. hmmm, you may say she had more help seeing as we grew up in Nigeria but weirdly enough when I reflected it felt like she was always present. I spoke to her and asked her for advice, asked how she felt, if she felt guilty for working and so on. It was great listening to her and using her advice to shape my perspective.

I also spoke to my pharmacy mentor who returned to work full time after having her daughter. I asked how she managed family and work. She gave me some very helpful information and lots more. She kept saying she can't tell me what to do but just listening to her gave me so much wisdom.

In the multitude of counsellors there is safety - Proverbs 11:14

I am so thankful I have these people to talk to and rub minds with. So I made a decision to return to work full time. I start in about a week. I am looking forward to returning and also managing family life and work. I am looking forward to holidays away as a family. When I've worked for a bit, I would let you guys know how it is going. Pray for me:)

There's this silent beef between working mums and stay at home mums. The question is always who is better. I think neither are. Just make the decision that's best for you and your family. And whether you work or you are at home. I think the most important thing is to be present with your child every time you are together. Being there but being absent minded will just be a big waste.

Good luck to all the mums out there who are rounding up maternity leave. Have you made a decision about what you will do when your leave is over? Please share.