My mummy’s decision to go back to work.
Dear mummy, one of the questions you get asked a lot from other parents is why you chose to go back to work after you had me.
I often ask this question myself too, why would anyone want to leave sweet ol’ me?
Your decision has been an easy one to make, which is probably surprising to hear for a lot of parents. You love your work.
You are a graphic designer and have a huge passion for what you do, yes you could probably work from home freelance, but you love the buzz of the studio and get on really well with your colleagues. I know you would go stir crazy at home trying to entertain me and keep me fulfilled all the time. It’s important that parents have their own space and don’t lose their identities. In addition both mummy and I also have the love and support of my daddy, who also works full time.
The nice thing about going back to work is that you keep your foot in the door, as well. Flexible working is increasing in the workplace and it’s common for parents to come back to work after having a child on a part-time or flexible working contract. My mummy works compressed hours, which means that she works full-time hours (5days) in 4 days. It means the days are very long, but she gets to have every Monday off with me so we can spend long weekends together. You want to get the work life balance right, and I think you are there. 3 full days with my family and 4 days in nursery. The great thing about nursery is that I get to interact with other kids, adults and get to explore the big wide world on my own. I’ve become more independent, social and less clingy. I’ve made new friends and learnt new things. On the flip side my mummy has also learnt new things and made new friends while she’s at work. There is no break in her career CV and she is earning her own money to spend on me and help contribute to household bills. Nursery can be expensive and a lot of her salary goes on nursery fees, but the experiences and education far outway that.
She picks me up from nursery and we’re both babbling away sharing our days. The only downside is that my mummy doesn’t get to see the small things that make up my day, and sometimes she feels she is missing out. Nursery is very good with filling in the gaps with a diary and photos of me.
I don’t think a SAHM (stay at home mum) lifestyle is on the cards for my mummy and right now our family/work time balance is just right. She even has time to blog about our adventures too http://www.dearmummyblog.com
Going back to work can be hard and daunting, and it’s nice to spend all your time with your children, however some parents don’t have a choice and need to earn money to help their families. Would my mummy go back in time and not go back to work? No. She’s made the best choice for me, her family and her.
Bella x
dearmummyblog.com 
Completely understand everything you’ve said. Some people need an outlet for their creativity and some time in a adult environment and this enriches the time they spend with their kids. You learn new skills which very often get passed on. Look forward to reading more posts.
Aww. I’m sure you know your mummy did the right decision to go back to work too. After all, a happy and fulfilled mummy means a happy baby too 🙂 #sharewithme.
One of my friends wanted to go back to work after three months maternity leave because she said she needed the adult time it gave her away from her little one. In the end she left it six months though. Personally I am a SAHM at the moment but I have been thinking about going back to work and putting Elsa in nursery part-time but I don’t know if that’s the right decision or not. I think it’s tough. It’s great that you were able to make the decision so easily though, that obviously means it was the right one 🙂
My mummy went back after 8 months and it was a good time, as I was crawling and she’d finished BF’d. Won’t lie, it was hard for both of us at the beginning but it does get easier 🙂
Good for you hunny and I completely agree with you. It’s nice to have a creative outlet as well as being a parent and some don’t have the choice you are absolutely right but it’s a great choice to have too. I love doing both. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
It sounds like you have found what works best for your family and you are all happy. I went back to work when i had my oldest but have now i have became a stay at home mum as i have two under two and nursery fees for two would be more then i earned. I do miss work though and i know my toddler would love nursery x #sharewithme
Spot on piece.
I found it difficult going back after my second baby even though I KNEW I would be thankful for it after the initial separation! I agree that everyone gets benefits from it and we shouldn’t feel guilty for the choices we make😊
I had over a year off with my first, but then due to financial pressures had to go back when my 2nd born was not quite 7 months. It was tough, especially as I was still breastfeeding, but you gotta do what you gotta do! I now love my 3 days in the office – I get to be a grown up, have hot coffee, go to the bathroom by myself and enjoy some peace and quiet 🙂
I think when you are passionate about your job its great to be able to go back (even if it feels hard) I think you need that outlet. Personally, I hated my job so happily gave it up but I know if I felt how you did, then I may be in a different position now. #brilliantblogposts
I always knew I was going back to,work – I earned the most! Rev T stayed at home instead. We were incredibly lucky to be in a position to do that. Every family needs to make their own decisions about what works for them. There is no right answer. #brilliantblogposts
Grappling with this one myself at the moment. I don’t actually have a job to go back to but I need to find the time to find one! I put my consulting career on hold to have my baby so would need to win some work to start again. I am actually considering a complete change as my commute was so long before, that I’d never see my baby. However, with Elsie 9 months old now, my brain is definitely ready to work again, but my heart strings can’t bear to leave her!
You dont have to stop doing what you love! Lovely post. #Sharewithme
I liked reading Isabella’s post! This is also my daughter’s name:-) This post is a dilemma that many of us mums face. I chose to start a business from home so I could be a SAHM but there are times when I miss the buzz of an office and other people! There are tough parts whichever choice you make, we all just have to make the best of it and it sounds like you are happy with your decision so well done!
I found you over at #PoCoLo