Welcome to part 6 of the blog series 'Children Changing Careers' - A series for parents who have pulled off a career change after having children.
You can find a link to all the posts in this series via the pinterest board page here.
This week's post is a little bit different! Featuring Karen from Two Tiny Hands who's 'career change' is one that I think many mums can relate to, with her new 'job title' being stay at home mum - or simply, motherhood.
Choosing to stay at home and look after a child is just as important work as any, the only difference being you don't get a wage slip at the end of the month for doing it! Nevertheless, making such a decision and dedicating your time to raising a child or children is no less inspirational.
You can see more from Karen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Here is her career changing story...
Tell me about your life, background and career before children?
My Family is my life, I can't believe I'd say it like that. It's amazing how having a child bonds you with another person, it's rather magical. Dave, my partner is my rock and is the main reason I get to be a Stay at Home Mummy. The Robot, my son, is fast approaching one years old, and the reason I am here today, my career change : Motherhood.
When I left school, I opted to go to University. A wonderful life experience and a degree in Multimedia Design to boot. In terms of a career I've jumped about from admin job to admin job. Never really settling on anything. My favourite place to work was for a book wholesale company, I learnt a lot about the book industry in that time, it was very interesting. In the end, after a house move, the commute was too long and I moved to work for the family Engineering company managing their books.
Did you return to your job after your maternity?
No I didn't. It took a lot of discussion and debate but we decided that having me at home to look after our son was the best option. I worried over the decision for months, but after a discussion with my Uncle (my boss), I took the plunge into being a Stay at Home Mum - it was still a shock when I got my P45 though!
What were your reasons for leaving your previous career? Why did you decide not to stay?
Simply, my Son. We didn't see the point of both of us working to pay for child care when I could stay at home instead. I'm in a lucky position that Dave earns enough money to pay the mortgage and bills.
Tell me about your new career now:
As I've said, I am a Stay At Home Mum. I always knew I would be a good Mum, people tell me that I am. Sometimes I don't feel like I am though. It's hard work, it's not 9 - 5 anymore, it's 24 hours a day, every day of the week, for life! It's relentless but so rewarding when you see the first gummy smiles and get your first hug, the giggles and the fun. I wouldn't change it for the world.
Financially, as I said before, Dave can pay our way. He is a self-employed plumber, so I help him out by doing his books and waiting in for deliveries. It's weird that I no longer have an income but I will get used to it. I am always on the look out for options to make money from home, I don't need to rush though as I have Dave as a buffer. When the Robot goes to school, it would be nice to have something to do from home so I will always be there for him and in the holidays.
Talk me through an average day for you now?
Life is certainly different from when I worked in an office. We get up about 7am, after a milk feed, we take it easy and leisurely get up, dressed and have breakfast. We're normally done around 9am. In the mornings we tend to get out to a baby group, or go for a walk or to the shops. Back for lunch and then the Robot naps.
This is when I down tools and blog. Yes, I've not mentioned the blog yet have I!? I blog at twotinyhands. It's something I started in August 2015, but I didn't get going with it until February 2016. I class the latter as my start date. I post blogs pretty much daily. It's given me a lease of life that I was missing. It's given me an online friendship circle that I can turn to at any time of the day, even 2am! I found a tribe of bloggers and it is what spurs me on, it's inspiring.
After nap time we, play, we go for walks, tidy, make tea. It varies each day. After tea time we get the Robot through the bath and into bed. Your guess is as good as mine as to whether I see him again at night.
What is the best and worst thing about your new career?
The best thing is getting to watch my Son grow and learn. I feel very lucky to have him in my life. The worst is possibly the loneliness that sometimes settles in the afternoon, this has lessened since I've been blogging though. The other is probably that Dave has to go to work and misses things.
It really is the best thing that I have ever done. Becoming a Mum. I don't miss my old jobs, I am embracing life with my new one, a Mummy.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to do what you have done?
This is a difficult one really, as millions of Mums exist in the world, and everyone does things differently. I'd have to say, think about it, listen to your heart. Make the best decision you can for you and your family. Life is precious and enjoy it however you see fit.
Have you had a career change since having children? Would you like to feature on the blog? Get in touch, I would love to hear from you!
Read previous posts in the series:
Children Changing Careers - p1: Emma from Little Hotdog Watson
Children Changing Careers - p2: Alexandra from Tendre Deal
Children Changing Careers - p3: Dani from Deluxe Blooms
Children Changing Careers - p4: Bonnie from BON LDN
