How do women have a successful career while raising small kids?

I’ve started a different job since having baby. It’s not as mentally challenging or as well paid but hoping when he’s older I’ll be able to get back!

Combo of having a great boss who understands being a parent of small children and all that entails, who changed my role to hybrid, and I also only do a 4 day week but the same pay as full-time. When she was little I was still able to go to toddler classes, events, days out etc and still able to work.

@Fay what kind of job

@Neena wow that’s awesome. how did you convince your boss . any tips haha

I only see the kids for about an hour in the morning and 3 hours at night mon-Fri, but that’s still enough time to have bonding moments. We also have the weekends, plus holidays. I have a very flexible and family friendly employer so I can take time off when they’re sick or for appointments (I have one medically complex child). I also get 6 weeks paid holidays, so I fully intend to go on every field trip and be very active in the school once they start in September. I was home with them for 2 years and find that although life is busier and more hectic, my mental health is actually better and I’m a better mom when working full-time.

@MrsB we had an informal chat before I came back to work where I discussed how different my life now was compared to pre-baby (I was a workaholic) and that I needed flexibility and time. Like I said he knows what it was like having kids and missing out on their lives due to work, so I did a phased return starting with 1 day in office, 1 at home, then when I felt like it I moved to 1 office, 2 at home and then when I was ready to do more we discussed again pay rise and 4 day working week. The only tips I have are you need to have confidence in yourself and your abilities and the importance of how you slot into your company. A good employer will see that and value you. You also need to be a good negotiator and know your worth. Sadly too many women are afraid to talk money and undervalue themselves and get walked over. I’m actually on double what I was earning pre-baby and working less hours.

I had to step down from a higher role because it was too many hours and I just couldn't function (the rewiring of the brain is no joke). My position now is more flexible with a more understanding boss but I still plan on scaling back when my daughter gets older

@Melanie I found this too. I couldn't work as quickly as I could before and my mind kept going blank. So crazy that having a child can affect your brain function like that!

I work remotely full time & also care for my daughter full time. Its possible, i have a great job. Its also the hardest shit ive ever done. Its not for the softhearted. Its tough hours, mental gymnastics and so much stress

It’s possible to find a balance but it’s not easy. I’m a single mom, work full time and moved to a state where I don’t have any family. So it’s just me and my daughter. My supervisor was supportive and lenient during the newborn stage. I also travel a lot for work and so my daughter traveled with me. My mom or one of my sisters would meet me in the city to keep my daughter while I worked.

@seo can I ask how you manage that? Is it a relatively flexible job? If it involves meetings/calls, how do you manage taking care of your little ones as well? My little guy would want all my attention so I'd struggle with that I think

@Krystyna do you still get quality time with your little one (other than weekends) ? I imagine this would be alot harder as a single mum as you'd do the entire morning/night time routine and work full time, you'd be so exhausted! Is it a flexible job in regards to hours?

I work 9-5, but my supervisor was lenient so i could leave work early when she was newborn-1yr. And yes quality time happens after work, we may go to the park, play in the yard. Big activities I save for the weekends, like festivals, indoor playplaces. It’s exhausting but i also remind myself i have someone’s childhood in my hands

I absolutely struggle with meetings the most. When she was an infant, id hold her in carrier in my meetings on mute. Now i give her puzzles or screentime. Or i save certain fun toys for meetings. It is SO hard. Especially timing putting her down for nap during meeting times

@MrsB I was an Ops Director full time before baby. Then knew I couldn’t / didn’t want to work full time. So sent my CV to a bunch of local companies each with a personalised cover letter detailing why they need someone with my skill set. Within 2 weeks I got a job - HR manager, 20 hours each week and I can do the 20 hours whenever suits me. Baby goes to nursery 1.5 days a week as some tasks just aren’t possible with baby in the house (not now he’s a toddler!) You’ve really got to put yourself out there and don’t underestimate your worth, although my yearly salary is less I am actually being paid more per hour now than before.

I cut back my hours after having my little girl. I work 3 days and am home 4 days which I feel is a good balance because I’m at home more than at work, which also makes me feel less guilty!

@Kayleigh can I ask what you do for work? That sounds like such a good work life balance

I’ve found mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays to be plenty of quality time personally. I had 2u2 and am currently on mat leave for a second time, but like the first time I’ll go back 5 full days and both baby & toddler will be in nursery full time. I’ve also kept my toddler in full time while I have this year off with the baby. I think having a full year off for both mat leaves has definitely helped because I’ve gotten that entire 365 days of the start of their life to be with just them. I also find nursery (if it’s the right one) to be fantastic for them as they’re able to provide more than I could at home. I also work from home so will be the one to get them if they need to be sent home sick

I’m a nurse ☺️ x