Here is a heartfelt letter from a mother who shares her personal experience of returning to work.
Motherhood can change us in ways we can’t even imagine. Before becoming a mother, I was a full-time PR consultant. At times, working harder to climb up the corporate ladder. Then pregnancy happened and it did slow down things for me. This eventually led from one thing to another. I was asked to rest, so I had to quit my job.
I wasn’t the first amongst my friends to get pregnant and have a baby, but I figured that once my child-rearing days were over, I would have to fall back on a solid work-option! While my little one was only three months old I started sharing the most personal motherhood stories with others via writing. That’s when I realized how much I loved blogging. In a way- I found my dream job.
Now, a full time blogger, I founded The Champa Tree, a one-stop solution for parenting tips and hacks; the blog was monetized within a year of being up and functional. I managed to turn a section of my home into a fully-operational office and hired like-minded content-writers to assist me on a freelance basis. By the start of 2016, I could see my dreams shaping up. My blog was grabbing eyeballs, garnering mileage, getting exclusive invites for parenting/kids-centric events.
So, ladies! I was successful in making a comeback!
Though I didn’t go back and join my previous organization or get stuck to the same old job-profile. Nearly half of the working women population quit their jobs during or post pregnancy. A large chunk end up going back to their previous/current organizations. I know of a few moms who were afraid to answer the question- ‘What do I do?’ Since, they are scared to face a society who doesn’t accept anything but ‘regular life/ regular jobs’. The preconceived notion about work and worrying about what others have to say also limits new moms from letting go.
What I am trying to tell you here is that risk-taking ability is the key to success. Also, follow your instincts! Most Indian women end up putting their ambitions on the back burner for the sake of having the ‘ultimate’ family life.
Just like giving birth is phenomenal and surreal, so is the life post-delivery. And, just as- the surrealism of motherhood shouts out loud of all the labor pain, sleepless nights, feeding woes, fatigue, and tiredness, similar is the life of a working mom. ‘When to join back work?’, ‘Will my baby be alright in my absence?’, ‘Joining back work within 3 months of delivery, am I doing the right thing?’ These questions can cause a lot of chaos in a mom’s heart and mind.
According to the Baby Dove Real Mother’s Heard survey, 67% of Indian mothers feel guilty sometimes about going to work rather than staying at home with their child. And, 61% feel that if they stayed at home, they would feel guilty about not providing for their family! Dear mothers, don’t stress. I believe becoming a mother is a divine experience. The journey right from having conceived to the time of delivery and from then on – this only suggests the strength of love. Becoming a mother means having to go through a wide spectrum of emotions of joy, fear, hope, and happiness. One fine day, your entire universe begins to revolve around this little soul. And the next thing you know is your little baby is turning 18, then 21, getting old enough to undertake their own journey.
Mommies, I am just letting you know that you are doing a fab job there. You have taken care of your little bundle of joy in the best possible manner. Right from choosing the best hospital for the delivery to using the baby-care products that would suit your his/her skin.
You have always been confident about all the choices made so far. So, why not trust your maternal instincts when making a decision of whether to make a professional comeback or not and when is the right time to do so?
I believe in the true philosophy of brand Baby Dove (a pioneer in providing superior care to baby’s skin) about following your instincts- your own and very genuine maternal instincts.
The Champa Tree was conceived in the month of May of 2014. Around the same time as my son’s birth. The initial couple of years demanded my utmost attention. I have worked really hard in nurturing them both. Now, I watch them grow and this gives me immense pleasure.
I am doing a fab job at it. And I know you too are going great!
I am a stay-at-home working mom who is passionate (and more than forthcoming 😉 about sharing her motherhood experience. You can call me a full-time mommy and a part time blogger. I would love to know your story.. lovely stories of the fellow women, who just like me have embarked on the journey of multi-tasking! Please send us your story at [email protected]
To know more about Baby Dove, click here!
Great going! Glad you could turn a difficult situation into a positive one! Many women who quit their jobs have difficulty finding their mojo back, while some want to go back, but find themselves obsolete in this rapidly changing work environment.
I know exactly what you are saying! In fact, situations keep changing and women are at the brunt of it!
Hi..I have before also tried to rate using this link, but this link shows corrupted digits, and not the actual poll
Try again! It should work 🙂
It’s so true that becoming a mother turns around your life. Although in a very positive way, but the challenges a mother faces is endless. And having a career alongside your motherly duties becomes all the more stressful. But that’s what you want as an individual, an identity, a role to play other than being a mom.
You are so right about the challenges! Well said!