Work Options for the New Mum
If you are a new mother, chances are that it is no longer feasible for you to work full-time, and you may have to start taking some time off from work to devote more time to the baby. Certainly where strong family support is available and the grandparents are willing to look after the baby when you are at work, there isn't much of a problem. But when parents are not that lucky, flexi-work hours for the mother become a necessity - at least in the initial years of the baby's life.
Your first step should be to speak with your boss about reducing your work hours. Your company may allow for part-time options depending on the nature of your work.
You may be able to split your shift with someone else. So, you could work half day and someone else can carry on work from where you left off.
Another alternative could be to let you work half-day for a certain period of time for reduced pay, with the option to return to full-time work when your child is a little older.
A fourth option would be to work according to hours. So if you work a certain number of hours a year, you could continue to do so, except according to timings that suit you. This is also a good option from your company's point of view, as you could put in more hours when the workload is higher, and less when the workload is reduced. Such options are very common in computer-related industries such as software design.
If your current job has to be a nine-to-five one and you don't mind switching careers, are some options you could look into.
Graphic Design
If you are creative and enjoy spending time on the computer, you could consider a career in graphic design. Think about taking up a crash course in graphic design before having a baby, ideally when you are still in the planning stages. If you find it difficult to take out time from your schedule to attend a class, go in for online training. You don't need a certificate or a stamp saying you have completed a particular course, as most companies will give you a job based on your portfolio. As such you need to start building up a portfolio as soon as possible.
Call centers
Employment at a call center can work out pretty well because the shift-system allows the mother to be at home when the father is away at work and vice versa. Naturally there will be times when both parents are out at the same time, but help could be arranged for a few hours a day every once in a while when this happens or you could consider leaving your child at a crèche on your way out and your husband can pick him up after work, on his way home. Often the best part about call centers is that you can swap your shift with colleagues in case the need arises. But remember, you would need to be willing to swap your timings as well.
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