The topic of returning to work is really a series within a series, because there are so many angles to it. The first is whether you’ll stay at home full-time or go back to work. If you are going back to work, will it be full- or part-time, and the timing of your return is an issue to consider as well. And for a lot of people, what seemed like the right decision before and during pregancy ends up not working once the baby has actually arrived.

I’ve found some great outside resources for these decisions, that may be helpful to you. One is a post by Laurie at Expecting Words, in which she lays out important considerations: money, identity, sharing responsibilities and career flexibility. Stay tuned for more links as this series continues.

Now, I’m happy to introduce Allison, one of my former co-workers at MagnetStreet. She made the decision to stay at home full-time with her daughter, born in July 2007.

1. What issues did you consider in deciding whether to return to work?
Mainly finances, I knew I would be a stay-at-home-mom if I had a child, so we just had to get our finances in order to make it work.

2. Did you make your decision before or after your child’s birth?
The choice was made before even considering getting pregnant. It is something that I feel strongly about for myself, and I didn’t want to enter into pregnancy without having the plans in place to stay at home.

3. Could anything work-related have changed your decision? (higher salary, flexible hours/days, at-work childcare facilities, etc.)
Not really at this time. Eventually I would like to become a birth doula when I feel that I could leave my family for long stretches of time.

4. Were others supportive of your decision? 
All family and friends were supportive. I would say a lot of co-workers were surprised, but still supportive. There were a few women having babies around the same time that seemed a little sad that I was able to stay home and they weren’t.

5. What have been the positive aspects of this decision for your family?
For the three of us, it just works best. I love being a constant for my daughter every day.

6. What are the challenges for a parent at home with children full-time?
The initial adjustment is so hard, for all first-time moms… every single moment of my life was different. The days can be long and boring and challenging (now that I have a two year old… ahhhhhh), and there are no sick days or vacation days.

7. What advice do you have for parents who have decided to stay at home full-time after the birth of a child?
If you hate it some days, you are normal and that doesn’t make you a bad mom. Have other people to talk to, people you can be completely honest with… Remember that the days are long, but the years do fly by.

Thanks for sharing your story, Allison! I’d love to hear from other stay-at-home moms in the comments section – answer any of the questions above, or share your own thoughts.