I remember taking a week-long beach trip with my two-month-old before going back to work. I should have been soaking in the sunshine and enjoying the ocean, but instead, I was overwhelmed with anxiety. How would I manage everything? Could I handle a fast-paced startup while navigating new motherhood? I loved my job, but I genuinely wasn’t sure if I could make it work.
Returning to work after maternity leave can feel impossible. The exhaustion, the mom guilt, the overwhelming logistics—it’s no wonder so many women step away from their careers. Even those with full-time childcare support often feel like they just can’t manage both, that was certainly the case for me. But before making a decision in the middle of exhaustion, consider this: you might be underestimating yourself.
Here are eight reasons why it may be worth giving it a try:
1. The Transition is Hard—But Temporary
The first few weeks (or even months) back at work can feel like a whirlwind. You’re adjusting to a new routine, managing sleep deprivation, and trying to be present both at work and home. It’s messy, but it won’t always feel this way. Over time, you’ll find a rhythm that works for you and your family.
When I went back to work after 12 weeks, I was really struggling, but decided the best I can do is to take it one day at a time. There were bad days, but also good ones—and as my baby grew and I became more confident in my role as a working mom, those good days became far more common. Eventually, I realized that I’m not just managing—I am thriving.
2. Your Work Still Matters
Motherhood doesn’t erase your professional value. In fact, the skills you’ve developed—problem-solving, adaptability, resilience—are more relevant than ever. If you loved your job before, there’s a good chance you’ll still find fulfillment in it.
For me, returning to work actually helped ease my postpartum anxiety. Having a few hours to focus on work made me realize that my baby was perfectly fine with a nanny—and that I was a better mom when I had some time for myself.
3. Quitting Too Soon May Lead to Regret
Making big decisions while exhausted is risky. Leaving the workforce can be harder to reverse than it seems, and many women later wish they had given themselves more time to adjust.
If you’re unsure, try easing back into work, negotiating a flexible schedule, or seeking support from other working moms. Asking another working mom to be my mentor was a huge help for me—it gave me the guidance and reassurance I needed during that transition.
I recently had this conversation with a friend. She wasn’t sure if she should go back, but she admitted she valued her work. Because of that I suggested she should try and see if she could make it work. If not, she could always quit later. A few months in, she’s doing great—and so is her baby!
4. The Financial Impact of Leaving Can Be Long-Term
Stepping away from the workforce doesn’t just mean a temporary loss of income; it can affect lifetime earnings, career growth, and retirement savings.
Yes, childcare is expensive, and I fully acknowledge that not everyone can afford it. When deciding whether going back to work makes sense financially, it’s important to look beyond just the mom’s income. We should consider the family’s total income and evaluate whether we can afford the costs involved.
I was fortunate enough to hire a nanny until my child was ready for daycare, which did increase our costs significantly. However, I saw it as an investment—not only in my career but in our family’s future. So far, it has paid off.
5. Women Underestimate Themselves—Men Don’t
Studies show that men tend to overestimate their abilities by 30%, while women often doubt themselves—even when they’re more than capable. Many of us assume we can’t do something, only to prove ourselves wrong when we actually try.
If your main concern is self-doubt, consider setting it aside while you try. You might find the reality is different than you expect.
6. Staying Home is a Choice—But Not for Everyone
Some moms feel truly fulfilled staying home, and that’s a valid choice. But for many, it’s either not the right fit or simply not an option. Some women need to contribute financially, while others love their careers and find purpose in their work.
I’m not here to question anyone’s choices—only to offer a bit of encouragement to the mom who’s dreading going back, not because she wants to stay home, but because she thinks she won’t be able to perform the way she did before.
That was me, too. I worried that with fewer hours and constant exhaustion, I wouldn’t be able to keep up. But here’s what I learned: Yes, I had less time, but I also used it better. Motherhood forces us to become more efficient, more focused, and more intentional with our energy. You’ll get used to it—and eventually, you’ll own that skill like a superpower.
7. You’re Setting an Example for Your Child
By staying in the workforce, you’re showing your child that moms can have passions and careers outside of parenthood. You’re modeling ambition, resilience, and balance—lessons that will shape how they see the world and what’s possible for them.
My mom had three kids, and unfortunately, she didn’t feel she had enough support she needed to develop her career. She raised me to be different, and I grew up feeling like I had no choice but to pursue independence—the kind that often comes from work and earning your own paycheck.
Today, I’m grateful to have both—a child I love more than anything in the world and a career that brings me purpose and fulfillment.
8. You Deserve Fulfillment
Being a great mom doesn’t mean sacrificing everything else that makes you you. If work was a source of joy and fulfillment before, there’s a good chance it still can be. And being happy in your career can actually make you a more present, engaged mom. This is certainly the case for me!
Consider Giving It a Try
If you’re thinking of not going back to work after maternity leave only because of overwhelm, consider giving yourself some time. Instead of making a permanent decision in the hardest phase of adjustment, see how it feels after a few weeks. You might surprise yourself.
And if you do decide to leave, you’ll be making that choice with clarity, not exhaustion!
Motherhood changes you, but it doesn’t erase who you were before. Give yourself the chance to see what’s possible—you may just discover a version of yourself that’s even stronger than before.
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