Poll: Are you planning to go back to work after having your baby?

[Anonymous]

I still have a lot of time to think about this, and am not even sure if not going back to work is going to be an option for financial reasons.

I am curious to hear what other expectant moms are planning to do.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to, but I'm going to go back to work because we need my salary. After the baby arrives, I'm going to start looking for a job closer to home.

[Anonymous]

Definitely going back. I can't imagine being a SAHM, it just isn't me. But even if it was, we need my income & benefits.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to either, so I'm going back for a couple of weeks while my mother is here, and then I'm going to look for a consulting position where my schedule is more flexible. My husband is not on board at all with that, but I told him I'm not having this child for someone else to raise.

It's a sore subject with us.

[Anonymous]

i have the option financially, so i am going to try it out. if in 6 months - year i want to go back, i will. i'm excited to give it a try. but good daycare programs do great things for kids too. i plan on doing lots of playdates and mom's day out from 6 months on, because i think socialization is really important.

[Anonymous]

Against everyone else's wishes, I want to return back to work. Everyone's got an opinion on this one (grandparents and aunts and uncles), but I need to do what is right for me and my family. This is surprisingly a very sensitive subject. Fortunately I have a very supportive husband.

[Anonymous]

Nope, not going back after #2 gets here, and I am SO excited! I NEVER thought I would have ended up being a SAHM, but I can't wait. I have actually gone back and forth on resigning now (2 months before due date), but I have many projects right in the middle of implementation and don't want to leave them in a lurch. For the first 2 years home w/#1 it was such an ideal situation - I worked from home, had the baby at home w/a nanny, saw her most of the day, but still had an adult outlet etc etc. Now my position has evolved and I would have to travel more after having the baby - that was it for me - I can't leave my 2.5 year old for more than a night at a sleepover at the grandparents, no way I am going to leave a newborn and my toddler for a week at a time. DH is very excited, he's been wanting me to sah for a while, but I just didn't have the urge - now, I'm excited (and a little nervous). Woo hooo - countdown is on!

[Anonymous]

I am going back after baby #2. I actually like my job (for now) but would have to financially - I make more than my husband and we would not be able to pay the mortgage if I didn't work.
Also, our DS LOVES his childcare so if I stayed home, he'd be home with me and I think the guilt of it would really hurt me since he really loves his childcare situation.

However, I do NOT want to work when the kids are in grade school, I want to be there for activities, after school snacks, etc... - we are hoping our finances change in the future and hoping to make that happen.

[Anonymous]

our move to dc was sudden, my husband was offered the job and started 4 days later, so i had to leave my previous job for the move. since i was 5 months pregnant at the time and had not expected to be looking for a new job, we decided that i would stay at home.

it is a sore subject and one that comes up often. there are times when i am really depressed thinking about the career that is lost, the years of school that have been thrown away and all the hoop jumping that went along with it. i just have to keep reminding myself that we both want our children to be raised by family and all those years weren't a waste. the career will always be there when i am ready to return, but i do have to remind myself of that.

there are days when i really wish i could be in the office and my husband was home and then there are days like today, which is beautiful and i can take a walk down to the library while he is stuck in an office.

no matter what you choose be prepared for regrets, but ther are just as many good aspects to staying at home.

[Anonymous]

I have a 9 week old and just resigned last week. My DH has a long commute, rides the train, has long work days and makes 2x what I do so if I did go back to work most of the burden of child care would still be mine. I thought that I wouldn't want to go back but I actually miss the adult interaction and the option of having a lunch break. All I can say is thank god it is summer. I can't imagine being in this situation in the winter. At least we have our daily walk and the occasional errand. I do think it will be better when my dc is older and I'm able to meet more moms.

[Anonymous]

I am planning to go back to work. I won't say I don't worry about how we will balance everything, but I feel like this is the best choice for me. I can't really see myself being at home all day--although I'm sure my feelings about that may change once the baby is here. At any rate, we need my salary (I too make more than my husband). I will be taking a job overseas in a couple of years and are hoping DH can work from home/do consulting and have more time with our daughter then.

[Anonymous]

I am planing to return to work after my maternity leave, but part time (only 20 hours per week - 2 days in the office, 1/2 day from home). I've already discussed this with my boss and she is completely supportive. I have no idea how I'll feel when the baby actually arrives, but for me and hubby, this plan seems like the ideal situation for us. There is so much that goes into this decision, so I really feel for everyone sorting through their options (or lack of options).

I like the idea of staying in the workforce, though I understand my career will likely be stagnant for awhile. I'm ok with this aspect though. As others on this board have said - I have a lifetime to work and further my professional opportunities! Also, my personality is such that I really enjoy down time. I think if I were to try to work full time, I would burn out.....quick. I have the utmost respect for working parents that are able to manage the morning routine, pick-up from childcare, dinner, then nighttime routine 5 days a week. Wow. I get exhausted just thinking about it! So....part-time is the plan for me. Good luck in whatever path you choose!

[Anonymous]

I was raised by a stay-at-home mom and definitely considered the option of not going back to work after the end of my maternity leave. During my leave, however, it became quite apparent to me that I could never be a full-time SAHM - I think it is the hardest job in the world - I felt so mentally and physically exhausted and I hate to admit it - but very bored and isolated. I desperately missed the professional and mental stimulation of my job. I went back to work on a part-time basis a few months ago and the balance has been wonderful. I am far less exhausted and stressed out working part-time than when I was at home full-time! I find that I love going to work and I love coming home to see my DC.

[mickeydee]

I am due this summer and planning to go back after three months of maternity leave. I just switched to a new job that I really like, so it would be a shame not to continue with it. I've been looking for this type of job for a really long time and I'm in a good place in my career, finally, so I don't want to give that up.

Just as important though, is that we can't afford for me to stay home. My husband makes a lot more than me but we just bought a house and put on an addition in the last few years, so the mortgages are too much for him to handle alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was raised by a stay-at-home mom and definitely considered the option of not going back to work after the end of my maternity leave. During my leave, however, it became quite apparent to me that I could never be a full-time SAHM - I think it is the hardest job in the world - I felt so mentally and physically exhausted and I hate to admit it - but very bored and isolated. I desperately missed the professional and mental stimulation of my job. I went back to work on a part-time basis a few months ago and the balance has been wonderful. I am far less exhausted and stressed out working part-time than when I was at home full-time! I find that I love going to work and I love coming home to see my DC.

I went the same route-and have found it worked great for me and my family. I enjoy going to work and coming home to spend time with my son. It's a good balance.