Full time Career to Mum to be

[VintageMummaJ]

I am taking voluntary redundancy (all legally done) before my maternity leave starts in October & I think it's the best thing going forward for our future.... but I am nervous as hell & have anxiety about what I will do after my mat leave has finished!

Worked for a UK business for 20+ years since school and at the top of the ladder in senior management but I want & have to change career for my sanity, mental health & our future as well as getting more work/life balance after my mat leave.

Has anyone else changed careers completely after having a child & what/how did you do it? How do I feel calmer about the situation? It's what I want but in fear of what is to come - I want to still work Mon-Fri and fear I will be forced into shift work!

Any advice? Thanks

I gave up my career when I was pregnant - I fully intended to requalify though changed my mind on the new career and have never figured it out since . My children are now teens , one of them has had real issues and it’s been a good thing that I’ve been 100% there.

Very easy to get stuck so start researching alternative careers from scratch now . There is a book called Trotman careers which you can probably get from the library aimed at children but would help you not overlook any options .

I'm confused. What alternative career are you considering that you think you will be "forced" into shift work?

I just fear with being so high up now that if I go for a lower position role people will just turn me away. So I would then end up working somewhere which only offers unsocial hours etc - im not purely focused on the fear of shift work im more asking have people done the same and has it worked out for them changing careers & fitting it all in around children - as I will have no family childcare support due to various factors?

What profession are you in? Why would it be shift work ? Could your partner cover the evening or weekend? Why is it problematic?

If you lone parent then live in child care?