Few parenting issues involve as much culturally inflicted guilt as when and how (and in some circles, if) a mother should return to work, with much anxiety surrounding the topic. Politics aside, working is a necessity as well as a desire for most mothers, and their babies tend to be none the worse for it. Some say mothers who’ve recently returned to work find that parenting and work skills are mutually reinforcing. Of course, parents can take turns at staying home with a baby. Many families find that a stay-at-home-dad situation can reinforce the father-child bond. Many mothers also believe that exposure to different caregivers benefits their child’s social development. There are also creative solutions for those lucky enough to have more open-ended job schedules and work environments. Some workplaces allow women to bring babies to work, while others provide the option of working from home.
Raising Children Network
Returning To Work
"Returning to work might make you feel a bit topsy-turvy now that you have an extra person to take care of. You might feel equally excited and daunted by the prospect, and you might be nervous about leaving your new little bundle in somebody else’s care… The excitement of working and spending time with adults again can get mixed up with nervousness about your child’s care and other feelings like guilt and sadness. Even if the adjustment takes time, things usually settle down." …read the full article
BabyCenter Australia®
"Working At Home"
"Being a work at home mum, or WAHM, can be a great way to bring in some extra money and still be around for your children. All it takes to be successful is forward planning and good organisation. " …read the full article
About.com
"Back to School = Back to Work"
"Whether you decide to work full time or part time is a very personal decision, similar to the one you made about staying home in the first place. You and your family must make the decision based on the needs of everyone involved. [. . .] When you decide that it’s the right time to return to work you must determine whether you want to return to the same career." …read the full article
Careerone
"Mums Returning To Work"
"If there’s one rule of thumb when it comes to making a comeback, it’s that persistency pays. It can take time to find a role that strikes the balance of flexibility and challenge that many parents returning to work are looking for." …read the full article
Children, Youth and Women’s Health Services
"Separation Anxiety?"
"All children have to learn to deal with separations. It is part of learning about life. If the first separations are managed well, it helps children with the separations they will have to deal with all through their lives." …read the full article
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BabyCenter Australia®
"Deciding Whether To Return To Work"
Human Resources Leader
"How To… Return To Work After A Baby"
