Anyone had success in taking time out of work and returning?

[Newmum26]

I have the option financially to not return back to work after my maternity leave.
I am debating whether to go back for 2 days a week for a bit of extra money although not a necessity, and for some independence etc. My LO would be with grandparents both day.
The two days I've been offered I'm not happy with as one is a full day on a Saturday meaning I would lose a family day once every two weeks.(I never worked Saturdays before Mat leave)
But then I feel like if I have the option not to really have to go back and I would desperately miss my little boy then should I take it?
So my question is has anyone taken a career break and gone back to work when their child has started school, and been successful?
My worry is if I don't go back and keep my hand in then getting back into work down the line would be more difficult.
Thanks in advance ☺️

[Candyflosss]

I returned 9 years after earning only 60% of what I was on. I really think it's depends on few factors.

• good communicator always impress at interviews, even blagging is better than being shy.
  

• good networking, if you always have good relationships with your colleagues all you need to do is keep in touch. I didn't even have linkedin until longer after I left!
  

• Lots of transferable skills, you have to rely on these if you haven't got above!
  

• Something else I missed.

[SquishySquirmy]

I think it depends a lot on your particular industry.

I have just had 3 years out and am trying to get back into work now.

Slightly different in my case because I went back after 6 months mat leave, but was made redundant a year later. The industry I work in was in a downturn, and because I didn't want a job which involved travelling away from home for weeks at a time my options were limited. So I wound up drifting into a career break.

Finding it really difficult to get back into work now, I'm afraid to say...

But it might not be too bad for you if your industry is doing well when you return, and if their is a decent demand for workers with your skills.
I wonder if the kind of industry where part time work is common is also more likely to be the kind of industry that is accepting of those returning from career breaks? There may be some correlation there, maybe?

What will help is doing something (beyond childcare) during your career break. eg, strategic volunteering, helping to run a toddler group, online courses etc.

In your position, I would work part time rather than not at all if I could. You probably wont see your career progress much during this time, but you will keep your foot in the door. Plus a couple of days away from your baby is not nearly as hard as putting them in nursery 5 days a week, especially if they are with grandparents (who they will be able to develop a close bond with, and who will be in their lives long term).

Make sure that the grandparent care is definitely there though; you would not be the first mother who makes her return to work dependant on the promises of grandparents only to find that they have changed their minds/are no longer able to provide regular childcare.

[SquishySquirmy]

Sorry realised my post above was a bit negative.
I'm having a bad week and feeling a bit demotivativated today, so that is probably affecting my advice!

[Yvest]

I have just made a job offer to someone who hasn’t worked for 10 years. The competition was tough but she blew us away with her enthusiasm, the voluntary work she had undertaken and the fact that she was updating her skills in her own time. The role is very junior and she has taken a step back but I am sure she will move up in our organisation very quickly

[Eesha]

Following.

[caithuait]

I think it's always better to keep your foot in the door. I have been a teacher for fifteen years and took a year off about six years ago and found it hard to get back in- I had to work my way into a perm role through cover work. Teaching is an industry that's always looking for employees too. It's just tough out there, so always keep some form of job. it worked out well in the end as I have a great job now.

[MaybeDoctor]

I found it harder than I thought I would. I had a year out following a year's maternity leave.

Job hunting was very hard, even though I was at the top of my game professionally - you suddenly realise how many women in the same situation are out there chasing those elusive part-time roles. It was also much harder trying to job hunt with a toddler/small child, as I needed to fit in the time and childcare to do the application, go for a visit, prepare for the interview, go for the interview....

I would seriously consider taking up this role - plus you would keep continuity of service.

[mummy2pickle]

I'm also thinking the same. I am due back tomorrow after 11 months off with my little boy and only working 2/3 days a week but one would be a Saturday and the others are evenings shifts. I have an older daughter who starts school in September and I really want to be there for her after school and at weekends.
My husband works shifts and a long hard role so I want to be the consistent parent for them both.
I
I have the option of taking a 2/3 year career break which would mean I could return once my son starts school but still on shifts. I'm worried if I do this my role may change or disappear but really want to spend time with my children whilst they are so young.
Ahh decisions I'm with you though it's so hard

[donajimena]

I'm a lone parent so even though I went back to work in order to work part time I had to take a non professional job. Now I'm almost ready to work full time I'm completely out of the running for any professional jobs. So I'm retraining. If you can work p/t in your current role I'd definitely do it

[peanutbutter310]

I have just gone back 2 days a week for this very reason. Things change quickly in my industry, and I knew otherwise it would have meant taking a big step backwards while I caught up again.

Having said that, I enjoy my work and I would never be asked to work a weekend. If both those things weren't true then I probably wouldn't have bothered.