@Thwam Good for you not thinking about giving it up!!! And what an amazing career. I think with children and babies EVERYONE has an opinion and I spoke to a maternity coach recently who said it’s about writing down what is important to you and your family and agreeing it with your husband and it sounds like your job is a huge part of your identity!! And if people are being non-believers in you, you can look back at that list of what’s important and remember why you’re continuing to work.
I also sometimes (sadly) think it’s a generational thing. I work in a high pressure long hours finance job and my own mother often makes comments like “none of my NCT went back to work, you all make it harder on yourselves nowadays going back, the juggle etc” and sighs about it! Doesn’t realise a rewarding job is part of your identity and how hard you have worked to get here.
great you have inspiring colleagues around you too!!!
I follow theobgynmum on Instagram - obviously a different field but she is a junior doctor gynae and she manages to juggle two children and her career on reduced hours (like you say sound like quite a lot!!).