Advice on returning to work after being a SAHM

[LeftoutDIL]

My LO is starting school next year & the plan has always been for me to go back to work once he’s at school.

I’m just starting to think about what life will look like, what sort of job I should be going for and wondered if any MNetters has been through similar and had any advice.

My main concern is that in the years I’ve been off, my DH’s job has changed a fair bit and he now works very long hours & travels frequently. So realistically he won’t be part of the equation when it comes to school drop offs, childcare in the week or even things like cooking as he just gets back way to late for that.

We do have both sets of Grandparents on the doors who have already offered to help but pre baby I used to leave the house at 7am to get to work so can’t really expect that level of
help. I used to be an Executive Assistant.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom please ?

Btw I know being a SAHM can be controversial on this site so just wanted to say it’s been the absolute joy of my life to be at home with my boy but it’s the right time for me to get back into work now.

I think a big one is going to be how you cover the holidays. What sort of holiday clubs are available? Can grandparents help there? Can you partner take sufficient time off? You might be limited to term time only jobs which are few and far between and typically not well paid unless other people can do childcare.
And I'm with you - I've been a sahm for the last five years and it's been brilliant. I'm self employed so can fit my work around the kids and cut it right back in the holidays, but that's another privilege I know most people don't have.