From working mum to stay at home mum (sort of)
Parenting

From Working Mum to Stay at Home Mum (sort of)

When I went on my maternity leave in July 2015, I knew that I would return to work. And, I did return to work. I went straight back into my old job working as a Senior Project Manager in advertising. I’m not going to beat about the bush, it was hard. You hear the words “juggle” an awful lot, and that juggle is real. So after playing the juggle struggle for 10 months I made a difficult decision to resign. It’s something that I would never had done had it not been for my blog, or knowing that I could pursue other opportunities. I wanted to share this post with you focusing on how I’ve made my transition from Working Mum to Stay at Home Mum (sort of).

When I say “sort of” it’s because I don’t really see myself as a full-time stay at home mum. Our daughter still goes to nursery for 2 days a week. We’ve chosen to do that as I hope to cover her nursery fees through picking up freelance work and also through my blog. The real reason that she’s in nursery for 2 days a week is because next month I start the Digital Mums course in Social Media Management, and I will need about 15 – 20 a week to do this.

But the main reason for writing this post is to share how I’m currently feeling having left my career of 10 years, to spending my days at home.

Naturally I feel excited about what the future holds. I have no idea what lies ahead, but I know that I will do my best to make a success of it. I can’t wait to start the Digital Mums course, and finding out who my client will be. It’ll be exciting to start learning something new, putting my brain to use, and upskilling myself. I think that it’s really important to upskill especially when technology is changing so much, and I want to find a flexible career that I can adapt around my family commitments.

On the flip side I am also feeling very anxious about what’s next. The anxiety comes more from a financial perspective, and feeling doubtful that I won’t make enough money each month to cover our daughter’s nursery fees that I said I would. I’m also feeling anxious about work, and worried about the possibility of not finding a perfect role when I finish the course. I’m sure that this will not happen as I’ve only heard good things about what the Digital Mums graduates go on to do, but I can’t help but have this niggle in the back at the mind.

I’m also feeling relieved to have finished from the current role. If I’m honest I was finding the “juggle” incredibly difficult. I used to feel guilty running out the door everyday at 5pm to pick our daughter up from nursery, and worrying about what my colleagues thought. I would then feel guilty for rushing through dinner time, bath time and bed time, just so I could get back online to work for a couple of hours. I loved working with my team, but the awful feeling of guilt, pressure, and having little time for everything was all a bit too much. I tried it, and I do not see myself as a failure for stepping away from it.

One of the nicest things I have now is “time”. Time to spend with my daughter. Time to spend creating a nice home environment. And, lastly time to be focusing on what I want to be doing. If it hadn’t of been for my year off on maternity leave, or setting up this blog, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to completely change my working life. But the bottom line is whether you are working mum or a stay at home mum, you’re doing what’s right for you and your family. I know that I am lucky to have the opportunity to work from home, and spend time with my daughter, but that’s not stopping me from getting stuck into the next project.

I’m really excited about starting the Digital Mums course, starting freelance opportunities and progressing this blog. I sure will be keeping you guys up to date on my journey, so watch this space.

Claire x

My Petit Canard

36 Comments

  • Donna

    I became a stay at home mum late last year. I’m not really, I do a lot of freelance work, we can’t afford me not to. But, I still find it weird being here all of the time. Because I’m working I often have to think things like “you haven’t played with the bobsy yet today” and then feel awful. Good luck! #marvmondays

  • Jo

    What an exciting time for you. I have really been thinking about starting one of the Digital Mum courses, I’ve only heard good things so far. Good luck with your next steps. #marvmondayd

  • The Squirmy Popple

    Good luck! I know it can be scary to leave a steady, stable job (I haven’t managed to do it yet!), but I’m sure the future holds exciting things for you – and that course sounds fab.

  • Fran Back With A Bump

    How exciting and good for you for taking that leap. That juggle can be so stressful and that’s why I was adamant that this time round my kids were priority and was very much in two minds about returning to work. Fortunately I think I have got the balance right and for now it works. Best of luck with your social media course. Thanks for linking to #marvmondays

  • fridgesays

    #MarvMondays im glad you’re worried – it shows you care, and you can use this as fuel! best of luck with your adventures, its a small risk but sounds awesome x

  • Nadia

    When I’ve read about how you’d juggle (sorry! there it is again) your job, motherhood and the blog I was in awe. I can completely understand that you need a better balance and I’m sure you’ll make a success of anything you put your mind to. Looking forward to following this new part of your journey. #fortheloveofBLOG

    Nadia x

  • Sam - StressyMama

    Exciting times ahead. I left my job to be a SAHM and i dont regret it at all. I do feel guilty sometimes though as we obviously don’t have as much money coming in. Especially as i earned the most at the time. I have been thinking about doing some freelance work recently because as much as I love being a sahm, i really need to start using my brain for something other than remembering nursery rhymes, the cbeebies schedule and what not haha. I havent heard of the digital mums thing but i will have a look into that. #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      That’s great and it’s lovely to hear that you’re enjoying being a SAHM. The money is a worrying thing, but I think that there are so many things and ways to make money these days, you just need to be an office doing it. Have a look at Digital Mums x

  • Kayleigh

    Ah wow how exciting for you! It’s so good to have a change soon and I totally agree that upskilling is so good for you and your mind. I really hope you enjoy the new challenge and I can’t wait to hear all about it! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Kirsty - Winnettes

    I’m sure it will go well, you will be amazing at it and you haven’t made this choice lightly. It may be a risk but it is worth giving it a go! Good luck, I can’t wait to see how it all goes X
    #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Angela Watling (Life, Motherhood and Everything)

    Such an exciting time for you! During a recent redundancy scare I thought about what I would do and was at a real loss. I also had many financial worries like you have, especially about meeting nursery costs. But a bit of fear and worry keeps you focused. You’ve accomplished so much with your blog since it started that I’m in no doubt you’ll do wonderfully! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Claire

    This is amazing, good on you! I was lucky enough to have the option to go back part time, but wish I could be a sahm, one day! xx #fortheloveofblog

  • Helen @Talking_Mums

    It sounds to me like you are doing the right thing. The right thing for you AND your family. I too am hoping to start the digital mums course in the next year and I’m bleedin bricking it! My son isn’t in nursery but will start preschool in Feb. I’m currently on a career break so its the perfect time to start a course. One of my best friends is a digital mum and she is doing brilliantly. Good luck with it all and keep us updated x
    #ForTheLoveofBLOG

  • Aleena

    Wow that’s amazing! I’d love to do the Digital Mums course too, and I might look into it after we move in July. I went back to work after Amelia was born, full time and running a busy retail business. Like you, it didn’t take long before I realised I just couldn’t keep up, and I gave up my career. Now, with 2 kids we have decided to move closer to my family so yet again I am leaving my part time job, and I’m hoping to kick the blogging up a notch! Good luck with wherever this takes you, I’m sure you’ll do great!! #fortheloveofBlog p.s. good to have the linky back!!

  • Kiri

    Good luck with the course. It’s so hard juggling everything and I totally get that guilt about rushing off to pick up the kids. It sounds like you’ve got a really good plan in place and lots of good opportunities. #fortheloveofblog

  • Nicola

    You’ve definitely made the right decision and I’m sure you won’t regret it! I made a similar leap just over a year ago and I was just starting my blog…you’ve done it the right way round and got yours up and running first! very best of luck and I hope the course goes well! #fortheloveofblog

  • Mainy

    Oh brilliant I think it’s amazing that you have taken the step to make a change. I’m very much in the juggle struggle as you put it and it’s always been tough. Very good plus points at times but it’s always something that is in the back of my mind. Great reading about where you are now:)
    Mainy

  • Nursery Whines

    Well done for taking the plunge. Going freelance can feel like jumping into a dark hole, but who knows what exciting things you’ll find inside. Work can put so many demands on our time, even when we are at home our minds are back in the office. Good luck with everything and thanks for sharing this post.

  • Briony

    Good luck with your digital mums course. I hope it goes well for you. I think you’ll do great. It is a worry, I’ve been there, I know. I worried a lot about my income. My story isn’t the best but everything worked out just fine and I’m a lot happier now then I was in my old job. #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Catherine

    This isn’t so exciting for you! I know a few friends who have made similar big decisions after maternity leave. It’s such a great opportunity to take a step back and think what is best for you and your family. Wish you all the luck in the world! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Laura - Postcards for Findlay

    Fab post – I’m due to go back to work in a matter of weeks and am absolutely dreading it! Sadly there is no other option for us, so I am trying to be positive, but I would give anything to have a little longer at home with my boy.

    The digital mum’s course sounds really exciting. – sounds like there are lots of changes afoot!

    Thanks for sharing #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Lisa Pomerantz

    Oh, how I hope this will work for you and your family. What a very brave thing you did, leaving the ‘juggle’ behind and moving forward in what felt right. #strongwomen I wish you so much success in this journey, and secretly want the same thing for me! I am the working mom, and I am insanely jealous. Even wrote about it… Thank you! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Mrs Mummy Harris

    I really want to do something similar with regards to having Ben cared for a few days a week whilst I work on the blog/maybe VA work? I really need to find out how everyone gets their work!
    good luck with the course, let me know if its any good! #fortheloveofblog

  • Mummy and the Mexicans

    An exciting and momentous decision! The Digital Mums course sounds great, I’m sure it will bring lots of new opportunities. I seem to be struggling more than juggling and my job isn’t even that demanding. There is just never enough time, that’s my biggest frustration. #fortheloveofblog

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