Finding a Job after Pregnancy

Has anyone had trouble finding a job after having a child? Just looking to hear other people's stories. I'm not asking about loosing a job and then looking (illegal *rolls eyes), but starting fresh looking for work with a newborn.
I'm just getting out of grad school at 29 and want to start having kids but nervous that a career switch and a baby at the same time might be overwhelming.
Any thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Courtney Apgar on July 29, 2008 at 12:49pm: I'm just about to sit for the MA bar exam (tomorrow) after finishing law school this past May, and I have a 4 month old. I haven't been looking as hard as I could, since I've been busy, but I have had a difficult time finding the right job. It hasn't been an issue with places not wanting to hire me at this point. Instead, I'm having trouble finding a job that fits my needs now.

Now that my little one is here, I realize that I am just no longer up for a long commute or a job that involves a lot of overtime. Also, my standards for an acceptable salary have gone up. It just doesn't seem worth it to leave my baby with strangers all day if my salary will just barely cover the cost of daycare.

The biggest problem is just that I have almost zero drive to work now. All I want to do is stay home with my little guy, which is a problem when you've got student loans and a mortgage. I honestly never thought I would feel this way, but every day he gets more interactive and exciting. He smiles at me and I just completely melt!

Hopefully I'll find a good compromise.

Anyway, if you're asking whether this is a good time for you to have a baby, well, there's never really a good time. They come into your life and totally turn it upside down, no matter when you have them. However, if you're asking if it's worth it, it is! As tough as it has been to finish up school with a new baby, I wouldn't do a thing differently. And while working on cover letters may be harder with a little one to play with, it's a lot more fun that way too!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by rylokybear on July 29, 2008 at 6:53pm: Thanks Courtney & P-G...hearing your thoughts is a huge relief. One of my reasons for going back to grad school in the first place was that my last job was so terrible with supporting employees with children and often times I worked way past 8pm. Don't get me wrong, I loved my last job, but if I wanted a family it would be too much to juggle.
Starting over career-wise is a little nerve wracking, but im looking forward to the field im going into and think it was definitely the right decision.
The issues of spending money on daycare is also at the back of my mind when thinking about children. I have a friend in med school who just had a baby, which must be so much to take on at once, but fortunately her parents live ten blocks away and watch the child whenever needed. Both my family and in-laws live nowhere near us, so daycare would be a must. And on my husband's salary we wouldn't be able to last long without my going back to work in three months time.
My standards for salary have increased twofold that's for sure....straight out of undergrad I worked in all kinds of non-profit jobs that today would never be enough salary to meet my needs now, let alone my rent. My ultimate perfect scenario would be to find a reasonable paying part-time job...but, we'll see what happens...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sunnygirlwonder on July 29, 2008 at 6:57pm: I agree with The Peveteaux-Goldmans... love (or be deeply satisfied) with what you do for work, because even then it will still be hard to be away from your little one. I too am job searching anew and it's the most difficult thing.

I never loved my career before and if I have to spend time away from my son I don't want to spend it doing something I hate. That said, I might have to -- for a while -- to earn the income I'm accustomed to. I am trying to keep an open mind and consider positions that I would enjoy more but pay less (provided they don't take away from my family time). That's the other thing having a kid does to you.... forces you to figure out priorities and (I hate to use this phrase) think outside the box. It's a fine balancing act, but I'm trying to remain optimistic.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by becky on November 7, 2008 at 12:32pm: Hi There,

I took a new job when daughter was 8 months. I have to be honest i found it very hard. My daughter is a terrible sleeper and I was exhausted. To have to try and prove yourself in a new full time job is really difficult and in the end i gave up as it was too stressfull. Having said this though, the company i went to work for were unsympathetic and there were a lot of internal politics going on so having a newborn at home was not the only reason.
If i could do it again i would have just waited an extra few months.

I hope this helps and is not offputting!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by just jen on November 15, 2008 at 12:54am: I am 36 and pregnant with #2 (my son is 13 yrs old) and here is what I am doing. I am taking classes to become certified in medical billing and coding.The biggest pull to the job was that fact I can work from home! All the other replies made great points: 1. It is hard to leave your baby,2.With my 2 yrs of college(English) the jobs open to me would maybe cover the cost of daycare and I totally agree that I don't want to work just to pay for childcare,3.It is crucial to find something you enjoy because the alternative is pure hell. That being said, I believe you can have a great career and a baby, i wish I had stayed in college when I got pregnant instead of quitting with the promise to myself to go back when Jake was 1, 5, 10 yrs old, because it was like I almost forgot who I was besides "mom." Eventually my fears of being an older student and denying my 1st marriage was in trouble brought me to a place where I found myself taking any job offered and it wasn't a fun place to be in. Good luck to you!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Fleur on May 27, 2009 at 10:05pm: Why not consider working from home and starting up as an at home contractor? that way you can pick and choose your jobs and hours to work around motherhood. Good luck! Professional-Resume Marketing Resume Template; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Pamela Henley on July 1, 2009 at 11:04pm: I have a great solution that worked for me. I did not want to go back to work after my 3rd child was born. Now I have a home business that is so much fun. I help other Mom's like me, earn an income from home. It has worked for me, and I am home everyday with my kids. I am always searching for the right Moms for our team. Maybe you can join our team of Moms and this will work for you too.
Go to http://www.SmartMomsWantMore.com for more info.

We can help you achieve your financial and personal goals.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Helen Ann Burroughs on July 14, 2009 at 9:49am: I have three girls - one a baby - and I stay home with them and work from home. I've built my own website and it makes me money every month whether I work on it or not. Its called passive income. I work on it when I have time, a few hours here and there. You can read more about how I did it and what I'm earning here if you like. Have a look - it's worth a try. Going back to work and leaving your little one behind is heart breaking!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by eiram ramirez on July 20, 2009 at 8:46am: Well, I had the same problem myself, there were a lot of factors that contributed to me being turned down. But I had to feel confident, and I started with my looks. It really helps to feel good inside and out (most especially). I hope this would help if this would be your case.

Loose weight safe - http://hubpages.com/hub/The-True-Effect-of-Acai-Advanced-Revealed; ▶ Reply to This