Career minded and expecting.

[danielleh1990]

Hi all,

I graduated with a First class honours degree in 2011, and have worked ever since leaving university to gain some valuable work experience to match the criteria required for a successful post-university role. I like the company I currently work for; it has provided me with some real solid grounding for a successful start, plus the people I work with are really friendly, but I want to go even further in the future. I'm also torn because I commute to work 20 miles every morning at the moment, meaning I will only be getting home late to my baby. My mind is torn at the moment as I really want to be a great mum, but at the same time, want to secure that successful career. I am now 22, and will be due to turn 23 when my baby is born early in 2013.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[Pearls18]

I could have written this myself 2 years ago (except I didn't get a first ) there is always a way, especially if you have a supportive partner and/or family around. I have worked since LO was 8 months (and before obviously!) I now work 20 miles away (but London so takes over an hour) I don't see LO much Tues-Thurs but I don't work Sat-Mon, he loves nursery I think it's a great balance. I am now doing my masters part time, my difficulty is I don't live near family and my husband is away a lot but I'm determined to keep my career, don't let anyone tell you you can't do it, tbh if you are young and career minded you probably won't enjoy being a SAHM I didn't, but the great thing is you're young, you have plenty of time to delay your career but if you don't want to you can have a balance of everything if you wish, we're a very happy family!

You CAN be a great mum and work on your career, don't let anyone guilt trip you otherwise.

 

[Mrs.S.]

I've felt myself torn too over the last couple of years about the same thing. I graduated in 2010 - I achieved a 1st with distinction. I also had my lo half way through my final semester and only took 2 weeks off so I'm very proud of this. Now as much as I love my lo and being a mum I often feel torn about the fact that I would love to progress in my career. Don't get me wrong - I have a part time job in the profession that I trained for, but not in the area that I want to be in etc. The only thing that stops me from choosing my career over my lo is knowing that he won't be little for long and I will never get these years back- therefore I can wait. I know I have the best foundations for the career I want so... You are still young (I'm nearly 30) you do have plenty of time.

However Id like to make it clear that I don't think there is a right of wrong path for this scenario, this is just my story/take on what I did in a similar situation, choosing to progres s your career doesn't mean that you can't be a great mum - like everything else in motherhood, you need to figure out what the best option is for you and your lo.

Good luck! Xx

 

[danielleh1990]

Thanks guys. I do occasionally receive guilt trip messages such as 'why have a baby when you have a career'. I think it's so narrow minded, as a mums who have part time jobs, mums who have taken time out of work whilst their kids are babies/tots, and mums who do have careers are ALL great mums! I am hoping to get a career based job closer to home that requires a degree so I'm not spending a great deal of my time travelling like I am at the minute. I have my maternity to have a real think about my situation and time to look for other options that may be more suited. I especially like the sound of having Saturday-Monday off - wow! . Three days off and starting off in a degree based sector. I've got until just after Christmas until I start my maternity, so going to carry on as I am working my butt off, and then make my decisions xox