Career concerns whilst trying for baby number 2

[Emmya]

Hi, I have a 2 year old boy but we are trying for baby number two. My concern is my career - I am a college tutor, and have always been very career-focused. Now of course, my priority is my family but I feel a bit unsettled with knowing my career will be on hold again for a while once I get pregnant. Im only 29, but already aren't exactly where I wanted to be by now!

Has anyone been in a similar position to this? How was it when you returned to work after baby number 2? My plan is to return to work and start looking for a better paid role by then as I am massively underpaid right now. Although I cannot wait to have another baby it's pretty daunting knowing that career stuff has to fall by the way side again for a while!! Any experience / advice / reassurance is welcome!

If you have talents, skills and experience, then there is nothing to stop you applying for roles aligned to a job vacancy, and to be paid fairly. Now has never been a better time, given the "ante has been upped" in terms of steps put in place by (decent, professional) employers to overcome issues such as unconscious bias and discrimination during the interview process. They recognise that discriminating against women cuts out a massive swathe of available talent in the workforce.

The fact is, when you have two children you will need to be even more organised than you are with one. Sorry to state the obvious! If your DP / DH is supportive of your career then they should contribute their share of the heavy lifting, not just leave everything to you (which is depressingly common, judging by the threads on MN).

No magic career wand, I'm afraid but have confidence that if you have what an employer needs, then you should expect to be on a level playing field with everyone else. Don't accept any less. One of my team was pg during her interview it did not stop us recruiting her - she's brilliant . Shine forth!