Getting the work 'spark' back after having children?

[Paperbear]

When I became a mother, I chose to step back from my full-time career and take on a more manageable part-time role that allowed me to be at home. Now, five years later, with my youngest starting school, I’ve found myself considering full-time roles again and wondering if it's time for a career shift.

However, despite being open to new possibilities, I can’t seem to find that excitement or spark that once fueled my passion for work. I used to feel so energized and inspired by what work could offer—yet, now it feels different.

Has anyone else felt this way after a period of being at home? If so, how did you reignite your passion and enthusiasm? How did you regain that excitement for your career?

Mine hasn’t.

My children are now 4 and 18 months and I just can’t muster any enthusiasm at all for my job. I hate it and am dreading going back there Monday!

My spark hasn’t come back! My children are now 7 and 4, I work part time and I hate it! Dreading Monday

I'm just about to go back to work after a year maternity leave with my child and I'm absolutely dreading it, I work in a senior managerial position and I have no spark or enthusiasm to go back at all, I just want to stay at home with my boy 😢

I work ft and have before and after mat leaves. Post kids I have no passion or spark for what I do. I enjoy it in as much as it engages me for 40 hours a week, but I'm not inclined to put any extra effort it.

It pays for family life and luckily, balances with family life. That's all I need.

I'm more passionate about home life and kids now, and I do my job well enough that I'm left alone to crack on with it and log off at 5.

I felt like that and I went back full time pretty much immediately! It took a new industry/projects before I got excited again.

I still enjoy work after two kids. But that’s possibly because one of my children is autistic and very full on, the amount of play and attention he needs can be exhausting.

I went back fulltime when my youngest was 4 having worked part time for 8 years. This was an accidental change for various reasons. In many ways I love it - certainly I have "spark" in terms of commitment and progression and travel.

Its work so it can be tedious and boring, but I was a terrible SAHM even part time (I worked 3 days), I completely think different things suit different people and different families and maybe you need to try and different role / workplace or industry or just stay part time if you like it and can afford it.

I went back to my old job after my maternity leave ended and I had zero spark. I left after about 8 months and found a new job which is in the same area but for a different type of organisation. Most of the time, I absolutely love it and have the sparkiest spark. It's relatively flexible albeit stressful at times. For me, it was about a new challenge which was more aligned to what I wanted longer term from my career.