Work or baby – what is YOUR priority?
About 2 years ago, this was the big question in front of me. My first baby was due in the next 2 months, and my IT work nature couldn’t compromise with the times. My newly won ‘Star Artist Award’ assured me of a promising future in the Organization. My husband is also an IT professional. And like me, he also has very uncertain office times. Appointing a babysitter was an option, but somehow it didn’t appeal to us. We had witnessed child neglect with neighborhood babysitters. Still, a moment’s thought would urge me to go ahead and have a babysitter, for the sake of keeping a good job intact. So here I was, wondering every second, day and night, what should I commit to: THE JOB OR THE BABY? And after a continuous era of questioning and answering myself, I QUIT MY JOB!! This article may be useful for working parents who are expecting a baby, want to devote their time and attention as well, but are teetering on the sea of ’single salary’ versus ‘double salary’.
WILL I HAVE ANY IDENTITY IN MYSELF IF I LEAVE MY GLORIOUS DECENT JOB OF ALL TIME? Yes… You are the same. Your identity is the same. Their qualifications and attributions are the same. They’re just switching roles. Instead of the office assignment, you’ll now have a little life to nurture.
DOES MY EDUCATION HAVE ANY USE IF I SIT AT HOME DOING NOTHING? Yes… Your education has given you the stability and confidence you so badly need to make critical decisions in life. Education does not teach how to earn money, but it empowers you to earn and be self-sufficient. Education urges you to decide the priority in several stages. And his top priority now is to responsibly own ‘fatherhood’. And believe me, even if the idea is driving you crazy, there will not be a second of ‘DO NOTHING’. The moment the baby is born, the mother is born. You will have to double your energy to finish routine tasks and at the same time take care of the baby. Diaper check and change, keep room tidy, adjust room temperature, wake and sleep to accommodate occasional feedings, along with daily cooking, cleaning, and laundry chores. Routine medical checkups also add to the list. If it is a small child, she will find herself running. Planning for the next season, new styles, new toys, next stage of baby food, so many things to think about! Where is the TIME?
WILL I BE ABLE TO MANAGE MY FAMILY WITH A SINGLE SALARY AND GIVE MY CHILD A DECENT LIFE? Yes… This is the only margin of discrimination between ‘Work’ and ‘No work’ that we are talking about. Analyze your financial situation thoroughly. You could be taking the work out of your restaurant trips! Or it could be that your investments make you safe enough if there is an emergency! Think about it over and over again, until you are clear and satisfied with your own financial background. Financial constraint is the only genuine reason why you won’t want to think twice, but continue with business as usual. JUST THINK ABOUT IT- There are not a lot of extra expenses when the baby is small. The expenses will be higher when she starts her education and along with that a lot of lawsuits are piling up, the new shoes, the costumes, the moving toys and many more. You will need money now, but from now on you will be free to go back to your old good job.
Remember, at the end of the day, you are living and earning money for your child. DO NOT ignore it at all costs, not even a little bit.