Post Natal Issues - When to Return to Work

The birth of a baby, especially the first baby, is a momentous occasion. However, the new born baby in the home brings about some fundamental changes in the home. These changes take place at a personal level, such as relationships in the household, and also at a practical level. One of the big practical issues of the post natal phase is for the mother to decide: when or if to return to work.

This decision for the modern mother is not one most women used to have to take. In recent decades social and economic pressures have dictated otherwise, especially in the most consumer oriented of Western societies. In the UK for example, especially in southern England, it is a two income economy in many respects. Buying a home there requires two incomes to get into the housing market, so most young women who become mothers are faced with little choice but to seek an extra income.

Even so, it is still a big decision to take, and one where the economics need to be weighed up. While a returning to work mother may benefit from the extra income, things will not be the same as before the child was born, financially as well as emotionally. While mum is out, what happens to the baby? If she has a partner who works at home and is able to care for the baby, then there are no day care costs to worry about. If mum has a kindly mum herself who wants to care for the grandchild, then that too can be a saviour. For most, though, returning to work quite early in the post natal phase is an essential, and an expensive one. Good child day care does not come cheap.

It is well worthwhile listing out your extra costs of returning to work, and balance them against the extra income. By staying at home to care for the baby, you will be saving on travel costs, child care, eating out during work time and maybe other savings too. What you need to consider is the net effect of returning to work. Unless you or a high income with a lucrative career, the extra money may just not be worth your while. If so, consider staying at home, and making the most of bringing up your child yourself. That is the most natural way, and undoubtedly the best for the child. A baby wants mum close at hand during the early years, and most new mums want to be with their baby.

For security and for educational development, it is best for the baby to have mum and home, rather than be dumped on someone else. That gives you the control of baby's upbringing, rather than a third party who may not bring the child up as you would want. The finances may be a strain, but these days it is not so difficult to find ways of earning money at home. Maybe even your former employer can find work for you to do at home.

Not all arguments are in favour of staying at home to bring up the baby, rather than go back to work. If you are used to an active job or career, being stuck at home can drive you crazy after a month or two. From the baby's point of view, the social contact of a day care centre can be a boost for the child's development; and being at home with a stressed and unhappy mum desperate to get back to work may not help the baby too much either.

In the end, it is a matter of striking the right balance for the benefit of yourself, and immediate family. It is important just to consider the impact on those in the household, and not to listen to the opinions of others whose situation and motivations are totally different. It is your decision, in discussion with your partner, whether or not you go back to work, and of so when.

 

 

 

 

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