Pros and cons // Of being a working parent
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We know how hard it is to make the right decision between going back to work or staying at home with your child after maternity leave (we have a post coming soon weighing out the pros and cons of being a stay at home mum) but here we've come up with a list of the pros and cons of choosing to go back to work. Everyone has their own opinion on what is best for them and everyones situation differs so we believe there is no right or wrong it is just whatever meets your needs better. Being a working parent, just like most things in life, has its ups and its downs. Take a read and see if there is anything you would add to our list!
Pros
- Extra money - It is such a great relief to not be relying on anyone else or relying on the pants maternity pay. It truly is one of the best and most satisfying feelings in the world. Just simply knowing that you're getting a lump sum of money in your account every month that you've earned yourself. It's well earned cash that you can spend or save however you please. It gives you more options in life. It allows you to go on holiday if you like, it allows you to have nice clothes and be able to do the things that you may not be able to do so much on a lower income.
- Independence - Having some non mummy time! Everyone loves being a mummy but sometimes you can get a little caught up and feel as though you've lost your identity. You’re no longer “Hi, this is so&so” you’re “Hi, this is so&so's’ mummy” It’s nice to be able to introduce yourself as “so&so” and have people refer to you as your name and talk to you about non-mummy related issues like the weather or what's on TV. Instead of teething and dirty nappies!
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder - You now appreciate your mummy time and family time more than you did before. It leaves you with that excited feeling knowing that you have days off to spend and really treasure with your little one(s) and your partner! It feels that little bit more special than it did before!
Cons
- Missing them - It’s obviously great to miss them, but sometimes you just miss having them there all the time. You can't help sometimes but start to wonder if they are okay and what they are doing, what they are eating, if they are sleeping, if they are in pain or if they're happy and having a nice day. You just don't know and you sometimes tend to feel a little bit guilty that you aren't with them and you've handed them over to someone else as apposed to staying at home with them.
- Exhaustion -If you weren’t exhausted before, then add 36 hours on your feet a week and then parenting at the same time together and you have pure and utter exhaustion. You suffer more when you feel ill as you’re run down as well as just tired and there is never enough time to try to get better. It's hard work!
- Childcare - Childcare is expensive and awfully priced, and not everyone can afford it. Sometimes you rely on your parents, grandparents, siblings and the list goes on. As long as you trust someone then it's wonderful, but you can't be seen to be missing work because your child minder has cancelled so it's important to find someone that's reliable and affordable. It's a tricky business!
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