Let’s be frank - raising babies is work – hard work. But some of us combine the emotional and physical toil of baby care with work in the paid workforce to forge a career, pursue an interest or beef up the bank balance. This both enriches and complicates life.

Combining work and family is never easy. Most workplaces still insufficiently accommodate family life. So our decisions around work/life balance feel like compromises. We feel we are missing out at work and at home.

But work/family balance is an issue for our times. By demanding work/family arrangements that fulfil our aims as parents and workers we challenge workplace culture. Assistance and understanding from bosses, co-workers and politicians is also needed. Maybe then we can make decisions that feel like solutions rather than compromises.

There are many reasons why parents, particularly women, go back to work after having a baby – money, furthering your career, self-fulfilment, or, quite frankly, having a break from your baby. Wanting to work is not selfish or unfair to your baby. It represents life in a complex world where being a parent and pursuing other avenues of self expression are important.

Nonetheless, the decision to work is fraught with conflict and guilt – even if the decision is based more on necessity than preference. But the only way to benefit fully from your working life and your family life is to sideline the guilt and get on with it.

Rather than hinder your career, babies may help it. Babies change your perspective on life as your focus and priorities change. Your baby may motivate you to leave an inflexible and stressful job and your baby may inspire you to follow your passion rather than stay in routine and boring work.

Time off with your newborn baby may be the perfect time to reassess your working life. Your home life has changed so maybe your working life needs to change too.

Working from home does have its advantages. You do not waste time getting to and from the office. You can work in your pyjamas. And a sick baby can sleep in her bedroom next door. But there is still work to be done.

Babies never sleep or play by themselves when you’ve got a deadline to meet. Looking after them is a full-time job in itself. So, oftentimes, the great work-from-home, flexible job is only great when combined with a great childcare set up.

Sometimes being the breadwinner can feel like the easy life. The breadwinner gets to leave the housework and baby care behind whilst the stay-at-home parent is stuck at home. But at other times, being the breadwinner is a disadvantage. Work is stressful and draining and it limits time with your baby.

There are pros and cons to both baby care and breadwinner roles. But both are very important. Whether the two responsibilities are separated or shared, both make an invaluable contribution to family life.

By Jodie  Benveniste

www.littlebundle.com.au