The moment you have children everything going on in your life is put on pause. You wouldn’t change anything for the world, but there is now something missing a few years later. You once loved getting up in the morning and heading to work; putting on your smart clothes and trying to beat the rush hour traffic gave you a thrill somehow. Since becoming a parent you haven’t had as much time to think about your career and personal goals. Now the time has come for you to start thinking about what your direction in life might be. Whether you’re planning on working from home or taking a completely new path for your career, there are now so many different avenues for you to explore. If you’re thinking about getting back into the swing of work life after having kids then you might want to consider some of the following ideas.
Rediscover Your Passions
When you become a parent it is very easy to lose sight of what your passions used to be. You might need to spend a little bit of time rediscovering what you truly enjoy doing. Whether you’re becoming a master in teaching online via a course you have always wanted to do or you’re exploring a career you had before the kids came along, there are many ways for you to find those excitements again. It might take a little while for you to find that winning idea that makes you happy, but it will be worth the wait.
Find a Way to Balance Your Time
Hopping straight back onto the career ladder after a long break is an extremely scary event. You have spent so long caring for your kids full time that leaving the house every morning for work seems really strange to you. You don’t have to lose out on anything though, as long as you make time to find a balance. You could consider going part time at your new job or working from home as often as possible. If you can strike a balance between work and home life you will have found your perfect option. Many parents struggle with going back to work full time, so consider some of these ideas if you can.
Don’t Be Afraid to Do Something For You
You should never feel held back by anybody in your life, especially when it’s something you really want to do. Pursuing a hobby or career that makes you feel happy and fulfilled is what the end goal should be. You should never feel bad about putting your career first again, because it will make you a better parent in the long run. Having all of your focus on the kids is going to take its toll at some point, so branch out and start doing something for you for a change.
Ask for Help with the Kids
When you go back to work it’s inevitable that you’re going to need some help when it comes to childcare. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask your partner for help with the kids. You going back to work full time is something you both need to be on board with, so taking care of the children is now a share responsibility for you both. If your parents are nearby you might also be able to ask them for their assistance for a couple of days a week. Finding yourself struggling for childcare is what every working parent comes across at some stage in their life. Contact a local babysitter, childminder or daycare center and weigh up all of your options before committing to your new career. Once you have found the right plan for your family you will be able to start getting excited about your job.
Consider Your Finances
Sometimes going back to work can seem like a huge helping hand financially, but you will need to consider the costs of childcare too. If you’re only going to be breaking even when it comes to travelling to work everyday and paying someone to look after your kids, you might need to think about other options. A part time job might be way more beneficial to you in terms of your finances, so get your maths hat on and start adding up the numbers.
Search for Jobs that Excite You
When you start searching around for that perfect job which is going to make you happy, you need to think of your happiness first and foremost. There is no better feeling than waking up every morning and feeling excited about your career. We have all had that awful feeling of dragging our heels into a dull office each day; you don’t want this to happen to you. Only look for jobs that are going to be a good fit for you, because you don’t want to waste any of your time. Even if it takes slightly longer than you anticipated you will be much happier with the outcome if you actually manage to find a job that makes you feel fulfilled from the outset.
Try To Leave the Guilt at the Door
Leaving your kids to go to work everyday can be a huge challenge that you will need to overcome straight away. You should never feel guilty about pursuing a career that you love, especially if it’s going to be beneficial for your children in the long run. Try to focus on all the positives rather than the negatives if you can.
When it comes to heading back to work you always need to take your time making the decision. Every family will deal with this situation differently so you need to go at your own pace. Rushing into a full time career after becoming a parent can be extremely daunting so don’t make any moves that you feel uncomfortable. Try to focus on every different perspective rather than solely focusing solely on yourself or the kids. A well rounded and rational overview will give you the best head start when it comes to getting on the career ladder.
