What is the best choice for you?
- Are you making a choice that YOU are comfortable with (not the neighbors, your friends, your family, etc….YOUR family matters most in this choice)? ย Remember, every Mom is different.
What is the best choice for your child?
- Are you considering the needs of your child? ย One of my children thrived ย in childcare, but my second child had very different needs. ย Pay close attention to your child to get a sense of whether or not they could handle being in a large childcare, in-home childcare, nanny, or with a family member all day while you are gone. ย Some kids can, some kids struggle.
Is it financially wise?
- Make sure to consider your finances in all of this – I had to work for my first child, but my entire paycheck would have gone to childcare if I went back to work with my second. ย Be sure to look at all of your financial options and weight the benefits of both decisions.
Do you WANT ย to stay home with your kids?
- Staying home full time isn’t for everyone (you can read about how it shocked me in the beginning) while others can’t imagine it any other way. ย It’s okay if you do, it’s okay if you don’t…but check in with yourself about what you want!
Do you WANT ย to work?
- The camaraderie with coworkers, the accomplishment of working on projects, having time away from your kids, etc. can be very beneficial for some moms ย and that’s okay!
Do you want to do BOTH?
- Staying at home with your kids and working part time is always an option. ย You can join the thread on our Facebook page about how moms are considering staying home and working from home to earn an income.
Is there an end?
- Can you be home with your baby for a period of time before returning to work? ย I got an extension on my first maternity leave which helped me dramatically (both financially and emotionally). ย Or, do you want to stay home forever? ย Sometimes, there can be options if you ask and investigate.
Do you have support?
- With either decision, it’s important to find support. ย Let friends and family know what you are deciding and how they can help. ย If you are going back to work, you’ll need help when the baby is sick and needs to stay home. ย If you are staying home with your kids, you may need help getting out and connecting with friends. ย If you are really struggling with this choice, be sure to find a professional to help you through what can be a very emotional decision.
Tip: If you are going back to work, try going back on a Thursday or Friday so that you don’t go back for an ย entire week. ย It helps to have the weekend closer when you make that transition!
How did you make your choice?
Come let us know on our Facebook page – we’d love to hear from you!
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