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New Mum back to work full-time

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  • 17-01-2022 11:31pm
    #1
    eved3
    Registered Users Posts: 8 ✭


    Hi hoping to get some feedback.

    I am a first time Mum who had their baby in 2020 just as Covid hit. I have been back at work now after maternity leave for about a year and am struggling.

    I work in a very fast paced environment surrounded by work colleagues who are younger than me and at a different stage of their lives & so have been able to give more time to their job & career progression in the last two years than myself. I have just been trying to keep my head above water.

    Colleagues on a similar level to me & have been able to contribute more are now being promoted, I am delighted for them but also worry about what that says about me. I am really trying to do my best however being a new Mum during Covid & dealing with all the stresses that creates has made me have to step back in terms of striving for a promotion. A promotion for me would be terrifying right now as I am finding it really tough however as everyone gets promoted around me I am starting to feel that people think I have no career aspirations. I do but I just have other priorities right now that are more important. My family life is more important than a promotion.

    I guess due to people being promoted around me with a greater drive to succeed right now it is making me feel pressured in my work place to work towards the same goal however I am really not in the right place for that right now. I don't have the energy and I am not willing to do the extra hrs to achieve this right now.

    Just wondering if there are any others Mums out there dealing with this internal dialogue and also keen to hear other people's opinions.



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    #2
    SmallgirlBigcity
    Registered Users Posts: 236 ✭✭SmallgirlBigcity


    I felt the same way when I returned to work after a year of maternity leave. I felt way in over my head and working from home definitely didn't help. I can say that after a year of being back to work, I did start to feel a bit more confident. I still feel like the rest of my team know more than me but things are improving.


    Just want to say that you're definitely not alone. I think it's natural for mothers to feel this way so try not to beat yourself up over it. I definitely feel like my son and family are my priority now. Work comes last to be honest. Once my son and everything else is sorted, then it's time for me. So work is bottom of the list. So you're not alone and I think its normal and I'm sure in time, it'll get easier. Best of luck!



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    #3
    RentDayBlues
    Registered Users Posts: 2,131 ✭✭✭RentDayBlues


    I was very successful in my job pre kids, I wouldn’t say I loved it but I did very well. Once I had my kids, my priorities changed. It took 4 years for my to have the courage but I left my job and decided to look for something part time. I now work in a role I would have scoffed at previously but it means I am still working, contributing to my family but most important for me I’m there for my children.

    Its ok not to want what you had before and it’s ok to still want it, we’re all different. I worried when I left work that people would judge me but I was surprised by peoples reactions and also once I was ok with it, other peoples opinions mattered much less



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    #4
    eved3
    Registered Users Posts: 8 ✭eved3


    Thank you gals, you genuinely dunno how much your messages mean, I feel better from hearing your stories 😇🥰



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    #5
    893bet
    Registered Users Posts: 8,980 ✭✭✭893bet


    Imposter syndrome. Most people suffer from it.


    You said you don’t want a promotion! So don’t stress about what people think. Plough on and look after family life as a priority.



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    #6
    KaneToad
    Registered Users Posts: 3,356 ✭✭✭KaneToad


    Your situation is not unique to new mothers. Plenty of people put family and other interests ahead of their job. Your occupation doesn't have to be what defines you. It's ok to just do the hours and collect the paycheck.

    When I was younger I thought it was the best people that got promoted. I no longer have that opinion.



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    #7
    Furze99
    Registered Users Posts: 11,226 ✭✭✭✭Furze99


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118521266#Comment_118521266

    "When I was younger I thought it was the best people that got promoted. I no longer have that opinion."

    Never a truer word was said. As to the OP, having and rearing happy children is the most important job.



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