Returning to work after childbirth can be a stressful time, but research shows that working mums report being happier and more fulfilled than their stay-at-home counterparts in the long-run.
Returning to work after childbirth can be a stressful time, as new mums deal with sudden change and the anxiety of leaving their bub with a stranger, but research shows that working mums report being happier and more fulfilled than their stay-at-home counterparts.
In a 2012 Gallup poll of 60,000 women, non-employed mums reported being more likely to experience sadness and anger than working mums and were also much more likely to have been diagnosed with depression.
A Marie Claire survey also found that stay-at-home mums experience more negative emotions than working mums because they feel isolated and can struggle to feel a sense of self-accomplishment.
Lack of recognition of the hard work and dedication involved in running a home was also a cause of their unhappiness, respondents said.
Susie Wilson, 27, didn’t want to wait until her two boys were in school to start working again and thanks to help from her family she was able to return to a fulfilling career as a travel agent.
“My husband Johnny and I are a team. I didn’t like not contributing financially as I had been before,” says Susie.
“I went back to work part-time when we had our first son but we just couldn’t afford the childcare for two. Then my sister-in-law offered to care for our children for half the cost so I went back to work again six months ago.”
“It’s not just that we now have more money, but I feel I’m more than just ‘mum’ and it keeps my brain active,” she says.
You’re important too
It’s important for new mums to focus on themselves sometimes, too, says career counsellor and coach, Tina Monk, who regularly advises mums planning to return to work.
“Kids grow up and become self-sufficient and relationships can change, so a woman needs to keep a strong sense of self throughout her life,” she says.
“Create your own definition of success, turn it into a goal or goals, then make a plan and put it into action, one step at a time.
Tina says you can also boost your chances of success by getting together with family and friends to support and encourage each other.
Balancing bub and career
While returning to the daily nine-to-five grind may seem daunting, getting back into the swing of things is all about attitude and accepting what is in your control and what is not, says Tina.
“Master things like your attitude, dealing with challenging situations at work, and how you take care of yourself,” she says.
“Let go of things like other peoples’ expectations. If we choose to respond rather than react, and keep our emotions in check, we can more effectively manage our stress in many areas of our lives.”
Susie says that the thought of going back to work and leaving the kids was far worse than the reality of returning after maternity leave.
“They’re more independent and I’m more confident as my career’s still on the up,” she says.
By Joan McFadden
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