Hello! Jodie here! Coming back to work after a long stretch of maternity leave was pretty hard I’m not going to lie! Not only that, but the endless decisions to be made where hard too. I would find myself most days writing lists of the positives and the negatives along with the pros and the cons, trying to really decide whether it definitely was the right thing for me to do. I work part time in a care home as a care assistant with the occasional domestic work too - not the most extravagant and exciting job of all time but it paid the bills. I figured I would share with you all my list of pro’s and my list of cons when it comes down to heading back to work, in hope that maybe you’ll stumble across something that might make your decision that little bit easier for yourselves! 

Lets start with the PROS:

Money - I think this one has it’s deliberate place at the top of my list. I mean, apart from a little bit of sanity, what else do we force ourselves up for work for everyday? I know a lot of mums decide not to go back to work - I was so close to deciding this too - but the money (I feel) is worth it. On top of working tax credits, child tax credits and child benefits you get a good enough pay check to be able to live and pay your bills with ease. I love to have money to do things such as go out for lunch or out to the zoo for the day. and I love to have money to buy things for my flat and things for Daisy (not to mention clothes - too much love for buying clothes). So I feel that by me going back to work, that is what I am working for - to be able to do nice things and buy nice things. All the tax credits then pay the bills. 

Sanity - It might sound bad, but then again it might not. But going back to work will help with saving your sanity a little. I know a lot of mums that can’t leave their child’s side for longer than half an hour. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing at all, and I’m not doubting anyone that does that. But I think it’s good to have that little break away from your child in order to be with yourself, gather up your sanity and perhaps enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee as apposed to the usual stone cold one. 

Sets a good example - I know your child may likely be young and they don’t understand that you are going to work to earn money and pay your way. But in the long run it sets a good example. It shows your child that they have to be able to earn their keep. 

Talking to adults - It gets you out and it get’s you talking to adults about things other than babies. We may not like to admit it but when meeting up with mummy friends I think we can safely say that most of the conversation is relatable to our children! Going to work, you are socialising with other adults about things other than your children. 

… aaaand the CONS:

Being away from your child - Probably the one con that really made me consider not going back to work. Being a stay at home mum can be a job in itself and when you are with your child constantly you are there for all their achievements and all their first’s. One thing I personally worry about is missing out on something big (or even something little!). I wish I could be there for every moment of her life! But sometimes that just isn’t possible. 

Child care - Unless your work employer dishes out child care vouchers then it might not even be worth while going back to work! My work doesn’t provide child care vouchers and so it was a huge debate (in my head) whether it was worth going back. But after talking to a few people and phoning up tax credits I discovered that I am eligible for money money to pay for child care. So that helps with that solution! 

Tired-ness! - This is something I am still trying to come to terms with - coming back from work and having to look after Daisy and having to clean and tidy and cook dinner and so on. Even when feeling exhausted from being at work all day there seems to be no little break when you get home.