4 Top Tips for Returning To Work After Having Kids
Making the decision to return to work after spending some time raising a family can be a challenging choice, but it’s one that millions of parents have to go through each day. Whether it’s to help ease financial pressure on the family by bringing in additional income or deciding to get back to your career once children have started school, there are all kinds of factors why you might make that choice.
Whatever your reasons for taking this step, there are some great ways to make sure that it goes as smoothly as possible. Read on to find out more.
Take a look at your family budget
While you might not need to go back to work for financial reasons, it is still an important thing to consider and review as a family. You might need to take a close look at your current family budget, to find out what can be improved with the addition of a second income, or you may be looking at choosing a higher paid role if you are the sole earner. Looking at the numbers in your budget will be a useful guide, and give you an indication of what kind of income you might need to look for when it comes to choosing a potential role.
Another aspect of your family finances that might come into play when returning to work is the cost of childcare. Depending on your family situation, you may need to factor in additional costs for daycare, after-school support and other activities. While some people have the support of family or friends to help look after kids while parents are working, others may need to look much more closely at this.You might also want to find out about options offered by employers, to see if they make provide provisions for child care costs.
On top of this, going back to work can also incur other unexpected costs, even if they may not be as large. Purchasing a new work wardrobe or equipment, for instance, might take an unexpected bite out of your monthly budget, while costs for gas or public transport can add to your monthly bills.
Consider what you’d like to do next
Returning back to work after a career break can be a great opportunity to re-evaluate what you’d like to do, and decide whether or not you’re happy with your current job prospects. You might want to think about the skills and resources you have and find out if your current qualifications are still suitable in a competitive job market.
If you’re tempted to try something new, then this could be the ideal time to change careers and re-train for something else. For someone who is tempted by the prospect of working in healthcare, taking on a doctorate of nursing practice can be a great step forward.
Use this time in between important life stages to decide what is the most appealing field for you, and work out what you need to get there. There are plenty of flexible options available to help you gain new skills or qualifications if you need them.
You might also be tempted to consider a home business. There are a number of ways you can work from home, such as freelancing, or setting up a home office to carry out services for others. It’s worth doing your research into this before diving in, as you may need to invest in skills or resources to help make this more feasible. Done well, however, this can be a great way to revitalize your career after a break, and can also help you retain control over your time and family needs.
Set clear boundaries for your own needs and your family’s
One of the most challenging aspects of going back to work after taking a break to look after everyone else is the fact that you may not always be as available to take care of all their needs, as you once were. This can often leave parents feeling guilty and struggling to multi-task, as they attempt to balance everything.
However, this is often an impossible endeavor, and instead, parents should perhaps use the transition back to their careers to set some healthy new boundaries about their needs. Good boundary setting might mean making a clear and agreed schedule with your partner or other family members about the responsibilities of running the household and delegating tasks to different people. You may also need to affirm clear timetables, to ensure that all necessary tasks are completed on time, without leaving the burden on one single person.
In addition to making sure that your needs are met, a return to work also means re-evaluating what your family needs from you. If your children have been used to having plenty of personal time with you through their lives, they may find the reduced presence disconcerting or upsetting. It’s a good idea to schedule dedicated family time and activities that you can enjoy together, to ensure that you can all enjoy a balanced and positive return to the workplace.
Be patient
Returning to work, whether it’s after a year-long break, or after several years at home, can always come with all kinds of unexpected challenges and difficulties. Remember to be patient throughout the transition process, and find some kindness for yourself. Making the decision to go back to work is not often an easy one, but it can be a hugely rewarding experience for both parents and children.
You may want to consider various options, such as taking on a part-time position or a flexible working package, to help you manage the shift into a new pattern. You may also need to learn to cope with changing moods and energy levels, both for yourself and your children, as everyone learns to adapt. Handled with patience and care, this can be a great step for everyone and bring some fantastic new opportunities into your life.
