Career mums – what if you wanted baby 2 but also a new job?

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Career mums – what did you do when you were possibly thinking about baby no.2 but also thinking that you probably need a new job? Logic would obviously say stay in the job I’m in, after all I’d get my three months full mat pay and it’s comforting to go back to something you know. But honestly, my sector is rapidly declining, the work isn’t fun and I have achieved absolutely nothing since returning from mat leave two years ago.

I know the sector that I want to be in. But is it wise to start trying to speak with headhunters etc if I’m also thinking about starting a family within 12 months?

Practically I know you have to work for your employer for at least 26 weeks to qualify for maternity pay. But my dilemma is an emotional one. Both scenarios are hypotheticals (new job, new baby) and on timelines that I cannot control. I don’t quite know where to start. Has anyone been through something similar? How do you frame in your mind?

Go for the job. Even if you start for a family in 12 months time, it may take months to fall pregnant. Don't put your life on hold for a baby and also don't put your family on hold for a job. Life's too short and unpredictable

the work isn’t fun and I have achieved absolutely nothing since returning from mat leave two years ago.

Go for the job. You'll start to resent it if you stay, waiting to have another baby. You've no idea how long it may take to have another baby either, do you really want to stay in a job that isn't inspiring you or motivating you for the foreseeable? Life is too short. Crack on with headhunters and your job search.

Good luck

Go for the job, you'll make the baby situation work as and when it comes along.

Honestly baby first, money on mat leave is hard enough, I also think flexibility in an existing company will always be easier.

I should point out that whilst healthy, I just turned 40. So time isn’t on my side! Can’t afford to wait to kick the baby making much longer but on the flip side, if I stick with the dead job for two more years, it’ll be much harder for me to sector-switch as I’ll be seen as too old.
honestly, men do not have this problem do they?

At your age, if you want the baby you should probably get on with it. Personally I've stayed in a job I didn't like a few years longer than I should have to have another baby and I'm not sure it was the right choice but guess you never know what would have happened on the road you didn't take. Given that, I'd change jobs and start trying asap.

You’re right, I will resent if I stay. Because even if I get pregnant within, say five months, that’s 5 + 9 months, and then having to return to the job afterwards so that I don’t have to pay the maternity leave back. The challenge I have is that A) – I just turned 40 and B) – I don’t think moving sector is going to be particularly easy or quick. UK growth is slow.

There’s a hypothetical in which I do find a new job within, say six months But I wouldn’t be able to start that job whilst pregnant I don’t think(?)

Why wouldn't you be able to start a new job whilst pregnant? They legally can't discriminate and delaying a start date by a new employer due to pregnancy for example would be exactly that.

Can’t discriminate, but I don’t think you can get any maternity pay unless you’ve worked for your employer for 26 weeks, right? I need to check the website Pregnant Then Screwed.