Should You Quit Your Job After Having A Baby?

The big question.

- Roopika Sareen

I was in my early 30s and expecting my next big promotion in professional life when I got pregnant. Of course that didn't stop me from putting in my best efforts and working for long hours. I was up for taking on more responsibilities that would advance my career and planned to join back into work after six months of maternity leave. I was very career-focused and didn't really envision myself really enjoying children and children’s activities.

But my feelings towards motherhood – and career – changed after our twins were born.

Not ready to leave our babies with a nanny or at a daycare, I was upfront with my team members and went ahead with an extension to my maternity leave. I utilised all maternity and childcare benefits that my company offered including utilising all accumulated privilege leaves, childcare leaves as well as 12 months Sabbatical!

Resuming work after a gap of over two years wasn't as easy as it felt that time. I went back to work, but longed to be at home with our kids.

Three months into my second innings at work, I decided to take a decision.

Quitting my job never existed as an option for me. I was raised to pursue a career, and leading a life without a professional branch who was just not me. I saw quitting as a sign of weakness. If other women managed to juggle a career and kids, why couldn’t I? I realised that even if I blocked out external voices, my own thoughts and feelings bogged me down. After months of trying to quash my true feelings and playing hide and seek with them, I admitted I wanted to experience the challenges of motherhood yet I have a stable professional life too!