Direction Change After Baby
I clearly remember returning to retail after my Maternity leave was over. I was an emotional roller coaster, happy to see all my old friends in the work force, but sad to leave my baby girl. Our goal had always been for me to be a stay at home mother, although we thought that one day a week would be prefect for me to get some adult interaction. I was so wrong, I almost felt sick to my stomach leaving her it felt so wrong. Once I started work, I felt very unproductive and truly and honestly I talked about her the whole time. When my shift was done I knew in my heart this was not the interaction I was looking for. My life changed and retail would never be in it again.
Discovering
When I was on Maternity leave with our first, I remember discovering careers and opportunities I never knew existed. The open doors of possibilities were right in front of me. Along the line I was introduced to some direct sales your typical Tubberwear and Avon, plus many new rising brands. I signed up to start my own business, the freedom to juggle my own schedule, work when I wanted, get my adult interaction, enjoy tax breaks and not to mention decorate my home with high quality decor.
Next Step
I remember having the “start your own business” kit in hand, with a smile from ear to ear. Plus a thousand questions running wild. I was confident in my success ( it was in so many ways ) but my business kit didn’t include all the fun add-ons I felt like I needed. I wanted stamps for my catalogs and personalized address stickers for my deliveries. After a quick Google I landed on Good Deals on Vistaprint Products not to mention a bunch of free banded items to share. I was fully stocked and really for business.
Success
Although my business didn’t last a lifetime and I didn’t retire in riches, it was successful. I learned so much, met new walks of life, it opened the door to where I am today, I have taken away a huge story to share and not to mention the timeless pieces I have on my walls to help me remember the day I changed my direction and explored my options.
After Maternity Leave did your direction change?
Thanks for reading In R Dream!
( This is a sponsored post, written by me about my own experiences. True story I am happy to share. )
After having my first son I went to work full time as we had put our son in daycare. But when we had our second son we were thinking it would be worth me working part time which was only 2 days a week. I was still a Mom and I liked the feeling of being able to be home. But as time went on I started working more still 2 full days and then in the evening after my Husband came home. So time together was not there. But when my son was in school full time I stared to work more days. I am working a lot more hours having our oldest son helps out quite a bit with his brother. As yes the extra money I am earning helps pay bills and I still get home early enough to still spend time with my family. It is hard to figure out what to do and what will work with having a family.
Sounds like it you got it all figured out 🙂 I do agree the extra money is always so helpful!
it sounds like my adventure in blogging! I am so happy to work for myself, set my own hours and be here for the needs of my family. I love having personal business cards to show off my brand!
Business cards are always fun! I do agree, I didn’t even add my blogging to the article, I love setting my own hours and working for myself. Life works in funny ways and I love the unexpected!
Tammy, I have the difficult decision to make whether to return to the workforce in September or wait until the following year when I will have all my kids in school. It’s such a difficult decision,
Jenna I am sure the right one will come to you. IMO wait till they are all in school, so much easier on your heart 🙂
I returned to work aftervmy first one with intentions to get preggers asap. After second., I tried the part time job but found it boring, tried the home sales but realized I cant sell and ended back at my orginal job. Stayed there for two more years until mat keave #3 where I realized the life of a chiro asst wasnt working for us. On a whim I applied to Canada post. I have my own route and onlu work till noon. Love it as I still feel like a stay at home mom
Sounds like your path was meant to be!
Returning back to work after having a baby is one of the toughest decisions ever! So glad you were able to find alternate forms of income.
Your right, tough!
After my maternity leave was up I started a home daycare so I could still be with my son. It lasted 2 years before he was diagnosed with Autism and I took another new direction – being his full time therapist and cheerleader. Now (another 2 years later) I own a successful retail store and my son is about to start kindergarten 🙂
Love your story! Sounds like success was on your side!
I worked full time until we had our first child. Luckily as a nurse I had plenty of options regarding working hours so I went part-time and worked 3 nights a week from 11:30 PM until 7:30 AM for 13 years, I was tired a lot but it was worth it for us and us and I think the kids didn’t even realize I worked during those years!! lol
I always planned to stay home if I had kids, but an unexpected off for my husband forced me to go back to work for a while. It was awful. The happiest day of my life (after the births of the kids) was when he got a new job 🙂
I always planned on being a stay-at-home mom if possible. I used to work in a hospital as a registered nurse and I continued working after my first two children were born. It was awful…I worked nights and would come home exhausted and have to care for the kids while my husband worked. Right before my third child was born, I quit working for good. There are definitely pros and cons with any situation but I am totally glad that I was able to become a full-time stay-at-home mom. Our four kids are teens now, and I still love being home with them.
Well, I actually had plans to change things-up after I had my son, so, yes. My direction definitely changed and I’m so glad I made that decision.
I could have written this! I was a retail manager for years but after I had my son, I just couldn’t go back. It was too hard and I tried. Luckily, I was able to find a part time job in the evenings and then I was able to find a work at home job.
my sister in law experienced something similar to you when she went back to work after her first was born. leaving kelsey at daycare broke her heart every single time. within a month she was looking for other plans. within 2 months she had a whole new career (they couldn’t afford her to be home full time) and is actually running the non profit she started working at so that she had flexible hours and only had to work 2 days a week not 1- and kids were welcome at work. its funny how things change!
Love when it all changes for the best 🙂
After my son was born, I tried it all to stay home with him – Tupperware, Pampered Chef, a late night restaurant shift. The pay wasn’t great but we made it work.