To work or not to work, that is the question

To all my fellow Mummy readers this will be a familiar question. It is such a prevalent topic in our Mummy conversations and often sparks passionate views. While some people long to be able to stay at home with their children, others crave to use a bit of their creativity in the workplace.

Many of us would like a little bit of both. A part-time job which feeds the soul but allows us to be there for our children. Many of us don't have the luxury of choice: necessity decides for us.

I've been in a few different situations throughout the five years so far of child-rearing. With my first child I had to put her in nursery aged 10 months and return to work in a job I didn't love. Whilst it was nice to do something other than be with my precious baby 24/7 it did affect our relationship and I came to resent having to go to work. Luckily I got into a better situation and landed a job which I loved and felt valued in, and was able to work from home part-time. That really was the best of both worlds, and during that time I had my second child. Shortly afterwards the job came to an end and I was forced to face the question of what next. I had been so spoiled with working from home that I couldn't imagine having to step into an office or shop environment again.

Ever since my first child was born I had also been working on a side project to run my own business selling maternity and baby clothes (www.serenity-baby.co.uk). Fortunately I was able to turn my attention to that and attempt to make a living being self-employed. It is a bumpy ride, and I do periodically go through the cycle of other possible options. Should I go and get a 'proper' job? If I did, the cost of childcare would probably not make it worthwhile... What would the impact on the children be? What better paid job can I convince my husband to take so that I can stay at home?

So for the time being I'm clinging to the dream of having my cake and eating it. I'm at home with the children 24/7, but I also run my own business. There is a strong possibility that I'm not doing well at either being a parent or being a business-woman, but one has to have hope. There is also just a slim chance that I can show them that Mummies can succeed in the workplace and also that Mummy is (sometimes) there for them. I'm choosing to dwell on the positives of tasking my brain to economic challenges rather than pondering the reality of shouting "Mummy's busy - go and play" :-)

So for all the Mummies out there who are facing tough decisions, remember there is no right or wrong. Every scenario has its positives and its shortcomings. Good luck with making those decisions!