Sarz

[Sarz]

Hi, i'm searching for mums. Being brought up by a feminist 60's mother i have a desperate urge for children and little comfort when it comes to financial security...My world seems to be devoured by a 'successful career' which is male dominated and lacking in any essential morals. What do working mothers do to balance this. There seems to me to be two options, work or family...

[Rell]

Hi Sarz
I lot of people do do both. I returned to work when my first was 6 mths old. I thought I would be fine to return to work as I realy enjoyed the work I did. Well I couldn't have been more wrong, suddenly nothing at work seamed important anymore I spent my day wishing I was caring for my child. I lost my passion for the job and I wanted to feel as if I was contributing to society, so I left after 18 mths. I have since had a second child and enjoy my new job as a stay at home mum. I plan to return to work when my yongest is 2 or 3 starting off in a low pressure job until the kids are a bit older then I can reignite my passion for a career. I know people who return to their high pressure careers soon after they have kids and it works for them. I think different situations suit different people and you dont know until after you have that little bundle in your arms.

[xkwzit]

Hi Sarz
Rell is right - in that there is no single "right" way to combine work and family. Different families need different solutions and you just have to try them on to see if they work for you. I found it relatively easy to find employers who are happy for me to combine part time work and motherhood - with an arrangement that suits our family (and that's in engineering consultancy - which tends to be just a *bit* male oriented). I know some women who returned to full time work only 3 months after their babies were born and others who could not imagine working instead of being SAHM. Anything that works for you all is right.

Best of luck

[Elijahsmum]

Hi Sarz,

Yep, it's that quandry. I still haven't decided if I'll return to work in October when my 12 months maternity leave is up. I know i don't want to go back full time - actually i don't want to go back at all, but we are renting at the moment and I dream to own our own home, so i'm going to have to do some work.

But it's working out how much work to do - i can't stand to be away from Eli for more than a couple of hours - I don't think i could handle being away from him while at work.

Do what you feel is right in your heart, darl. Don't do anything you think you won't be able to handle - it will just make you miserable - and money doesn't make you happy - our little precious bundles do though :p