Returning to Work After Giving Birth

Audra Lowe: Going back to work after a baby can be stressful for the entire family. But there are ways to ease a transition and make it work for everybody and have some insight into the emotional dilemma. Anne Ebeling: You have had the baby now it is time to go back to work. But leaving your little one behind can be tough. I talk to moms about missing baby, making money and getting back into the game after being away. Dorene Bair: I don't think you make that decision until the day that you actually come back. Really I mean you could say you are coming back, you could say you are not coming back; I don't think you know until that day when you leave the house. Anne Ebeling: Magazine Marketing Director Dorene Bair is coming back to work after having her second child. Dorene gave birth to daughter Lilly two years ago and had son Charlie just a few months ago. Dorene Bair: The first time around was a lot different because I really want to get out of the house because it was a little crazy and it was great to shower in morning, get ready and kind of feel like myself again. So and it was hard leaving her but I felt more of -- to feel like myself the first time around and I think then you relate yourself to actually being mom. So this time is a little bit different. Anne Ebeling: When making the decision whether or not to go back to work there are several things a woman must consider. Dorene Bair: You take into consideration yourself, what you need to make sure that your family is intact mentally, emotionally, financially and all of those things and I think if you are mentally okay then you are going to be great for your kids. Anne Ebeling: Money is another consideration for woman returning to work after baby. Certified financial planner and mom Stacey Francis says the financial side of the going back to work has its own set of things to think about. Stacey Francis: Staying home for many couples is very much a viable option. When you take a look at the cost of child care we understand very well what child care is because I work fulltime as well as my husband and the cost of child care for good childcare is not inexpensive. So that's something you really want to take into consideration. How much is my salary, how much am I going to be brining home after tax? It maybe worth it for you, go back to work but it may not be worth it. Anne Ebeling: Dorene says that for her going back to work means more opportunities for her children. Dorene Bair: My income in addition to my husband's income enables us to do things with our family that maybe would be a little bit more difficult to do if I wasn't working and we can do things for our kids even if it is saving for school and little jokes and she calls herself back too early. So that's why I am really back to work because you know, you never know. Anne Ebeling: So if you decided it is worth to go back, make sure you are getting what you are worth. Stacey Francis: I think that most important for woman to know is what her value is because what we see women doing when they go back into the work force is short changing themselves and taking jobs that do not pay them what they are worth maybe do not offer them the benefits that they deserve. Anne Ebeling: And Dorene says; check your guilt at the door. Dorene Bair: Going back to work is truly a personal choice. Audra Lowe: And for lots more sound advice to help you through those parenting pitfalls just check out Parents TV on parents.com.