How To Get Back Into Work After Having Children

After having children, thinking about getting back into work can be daunting. Whether you have been off for a few months or a few years – there is always going to be an element of anxiety after an extended break away from it.

Perhaps you want to return to full time work and continue on your career path, or maybe just pick up a few days or even hours a week, just to get out of the house away from nappies and baby talk, for some adult conversation. Whatever you decide is right, you need to find a way to get back into it.

This can be scary for several reasons – not only do you have to readjust to the 9 to 5, but if your child is still young you need to ensure you get the balance right between your work and home life so your job role doesn’t take away from your role as a parent.

It can also feel like your knowledge and skills have been on hold since you left work. As a result, after years out of the office, they are out of date. However, there are things you can do to update your skills and present your time off in a positive light.

You will have developed many useful skills that can be transferred into the work place. Being at home with children develops your people skills, your creative problem solving, your ability to multi-task and your time management. So update your CV and take your parenting skills to work with you.

If you’re returning to work after maternity leave, this might also be the opportunity to dictate slightly different working hours. You may not want to return to a demanding, full-time position and might prefer to negotiate the chance to work four days a week, or five shorter days, so that you can still spend quality time with your little one. There might also be the option of working from home for periods during the week – the work/life balance is probably more important to you now then ever before. Don’t be afraid to ask about flexible working and find a company that understands the needs of a parent with young children, for example, that you may need time off if your child is sick.

When your child is older and at school, you can always review your working arrangements.

If you’re searching afresh for a career opportunity and want something that compliments your childcare plans, look for available positions that allow you to refresh all round skills. Check out these admin positions for an idea of what’s out there. Many roles can provide an ideal gateway back into the world of work, allowing you to get back into the swing of office life without necessarily feeling stressed-out by a deadline-driven environment.

Finally, if you are not ready for the commitment of a job – or struggling to find the right one – you could start off with work experience, or volunteering. This will give you current and up-to-date skills to add to your CV as well as showing your commitment and passion. Alternatively you may want to find a course that will help you return back to work.

When choosing the right route back into work for you, it is important to keep in mind that you are not alone. Being a parent is a fact of life for more than 80% of employees, both men and women. So be honest about your situation and find a solution that will suit you and the company you end up working for.

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