Archive for the ‘Working Mums’ Category

Naime Azmi gave birth to Eren Azmi on 21st December 2008. Although she planned to return to work throughout her pregnancy, Naime tells MBM that her return date seemed to come around far too quickly… After suffering from a fourth degree tear during the birth of her son, Naime felt that she had barely recovered by the time she was due to return to the working world.

Although Naime wishes that she could have extended her maternity leave she stuck to her original plans and returned on the original date agreed by herself and her company.

Naime’s maternity scheme offered 90% pay for the first six weeks of maternity leave and then reduced to only SMP (statutory maternity pay). However, Naime was lucky as she is a share holder of the company and therefore received monthly dividends.

Upon returning to work Naime left Eren in the capable hands of his Grandparents. Naime feels that they have an excellent bond with their Grandson and is not at all worried about leaving him with people she trusts. However, when leaving Eren Naime still feels on overwhelming sense of guilt as many Mother’s do when leaving their child with somebody else.

Naime explains that since having Eren her priorities have changed completely and now that she has returned to work she feels that she is missing out on making friends with other Mums at playgroups and Mum and Baby groups.

Naime plans to continue working but feels that a change of career (possibly into teaching) might be needed in order to try and spend more time with her son.

Naime tells us the pros and cons of being a working Mum:

The Positive Aspects of being a Working Mum

• Regardless of how hard it might be to return to work, often it offers a change of scenery which can be a healthy thing!
• It’s nice to feel like you are contributing to the household bills
• If your child is in nursery then they will get more social interaction and therefore obtain skills such as sharing and communication.
• If you are serious about your career, returning to work can/ will help you to progress up the career ladder in your industry.
• Being away from your children for time makes you appreciate them, Naime tells us that she prefers nothing more than holding her little man in her arms at the end of a working day!

The negative aspects of being a working Mum

• If both you and your partner work then someone else will be raising your child/ children.
• Employers can sometimes create issues if you require time off (with children)
• The feeling of having a range of roles (wife, girlfriend, Mum, employee) can sometimes feel overwhelming.
• You may feel guilty for leaving your child with someone else and like you are missing out on key milestones of your child’s/ children’s life.
• If your child is in nursery or with a child minder then this can prove costly.

ADVICE FOR MUMS RETURNING TO WORK

We asked Naime what her advice would be to other Mums planning to return to work. Naime explained that if you must return to work then you must not feel guilty. Remember that you are going for a reason and helping provide for your family. Naime suggests that you try to be as organised as possible in order to avoid feeling out of control of a sense of being overwhelmed.

NAIMES TOP TEN TIPS FOR MUMS RETURING TO WORK

1. Make a plan and try and stick to it so that you can try and mentally prepare yourself whilst trying to let go of any guilt that you may be feeling.
2. Make sure that you are fully comfortable with the childcare arrangements you have made for your child.
3. Ensure that your employers are child friends as sometimes you may have to leave work for appointments such as baby clinic and immunisations.
4. If you can try a trial run with the nursery/ childcare provider prior to returning to work.
5. Try and pack your child’s bag the night before returning to work, it will be hard enough dealing with the emotions let alone worrying about forgetting the essentials!
6. Ensure that you get as much rest as you can, you will need it once you have to juggle work and a baby!
7. Write lists! Sometimes it helps to write things down which need doing in order to remain in control.
8. Give yourself time to adjust to being back at work, it may take a while to feel fully motivated and back into a routine.
9. Get stocked up with ‘easy food’ (perhaps cook and freeze your food in advance) so that you can eat easily when you first return back to work.
10. Take pictures of your child/ children into work with you, you can look at them throughout the day and it will help you to feel closer to them.