There are so many pros and cons with being mum while at home full time vs being mum while working FT/PT. I was out with my girlfriend recently for dinner and one (37F) is mum to 3 kids (7-12yo) and has not worked since they were born. She graduated with English degree and has always struggled with money since her husband never earned much so they relied on state benefits up until 2 years ago since her husband got a raise. Anyway, while out for dinner she tells me she wants to get a job and I said that's great but what do you want to do? Her reply, "Anything, I mean I haven't has the luxury of having a job since looking after the kids"! You can imagine my reaction having spent the past 15 years juggling working full time with 2 kids! The same friend once complained how coul anyone could leave their kids in daycare? (As if that is another luxury) so keen to know your thoughts? Of all the pros and cons, and I realise it doesn't often come down to choice, but I imagine if I did it again I would still choose to work while raising kids!
I was able to take 12 months of paid maternity leave which was a mixture of saved annual leave, maternity leave and government leave offered. I went back part time which was more to keep my foot in the organisation I worked for. The organisation is flexible and very person friendly so it’s easier to care for sick family members etc. My previous job was nursing and I considered going back and working weekends whilst my husband worked during the week and not pay childcare. I knew having no family time would not work for us.
The other biggest factor was I was older mum and whilst I had reached the level I wanted to in my career, I had had friends die leaving spouses as single parents or friends and family divorce and suddenly needing to work because of it. I have also seen the main breadwinner become disabled or chronically unwell and not be able to work. Anything can happen in life. I know me and selling myself in a job interview is hard. I am good at what I do but cannot sell myself. If I experienced any thing like some of my friends and family experienced then I would want the security of knowing I had a job I could increase my hours back to full time if I needed to. The security gives me peace of mind and I’m less stressed as a parent.