Business Basics: What to Expect When You’re Expecting to Work after Having a Baby

By Jennifer Goldberg, mom, writer & editor of The Cultured Bohemian

Let’s face it, managing a career and family can be pretty daunting at times. It can get downright crazy if you already have a child and are expecting another one. I was fortunate because I started freelancing when I was pregnant with my first child and continued it throughout her toddler years until I started focusing on my blog and business.

There are many ways to manage your job and family after your baby is born. One mother I know had worked in the same company for over 10 years and after her first child was born, went back to work on a flex schedule and was lucky enough to find a great day care situation near her office. It did take her some time to adjust to getting herself and baby ready and out the door in the morning, though! She also went through a hard period of missing her baby during the day (not to mention the guilt she felt of having someone else take care of him) but was able to overcome that by visiting him and seeing him thrive in that daycare environment.

I think they key to getting back to work after baby is planning. Of course not everything works out as planned, but if you think things out and prepare for different situations, you will feel a lot more in control and less stressed.

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One of the ways to plan things out is talk to your employer about different work options for after you have the baby. When I was expecting my first child, I spoke to my employer about starting to work from home a few days per week before I had the baby, just to see how it would go. It worked out quite well (also due to the fact they had to downsize and a lot more people ended up working from home to save on office rent!) and I continued to work from home after I had my baby. I came into the office only a few times a month for meetings and other functions.

Returning to work may not be for everyone and that is why some mothers opt to work from home or very close to home. I know several women who are business owners, freelancers, consultants and designers who plan their schedule around their kids. I know a group of mothers who have a home design business and they all take different shifts at their store. Another mother I know only opens her antique shop a few days a week or by appointment only. They have help from family members and babysitters as they need it.

I am still figuring out how to balance my work and home life. I think it is an ongoing process. When I need to be out or have a meeting, I have a sitter whom I can count on. And when I need to be home, I am. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

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