Moms: Re-entering the work force when you have small children

When my children were born I knew right away that I would not be returning to filming. The hours were too long and so intense. So I stayed home and relished it. But I did feel the pressure to earn money and support my husband, justify my education and accept that nothing in my pre-kid life had prepared me for being on call 24/7 for the next 4 years keeping my children alive!
At the time there were not many options for me to work part-time and justify the expense of childcare. Now I read articles in the UK Green Parent magazine about former professionals that gave up their jobs to be with kids but not their sense of entrepreneurship. Many have created their own children’s clothing lines, beauty products, children’s toys and family services. They may in fact be working longer hours but they are in control and often working from home making use of the internet and social media for their business.
The big question that comes to mind, however, is childcare.
At Waldorf Academy we opened up the first Waldorf Childcare Centre in Toronto. If I had known there was a Waldorf Childcare when my children were toddlers I would have had a clear conscience as I embarked on my re-entry into the workforce. What I like best about the childcare is it offers not just 5 days spots but 2 or 3 day spots and their hours are from 8am until 6pm. Just the thought of having two full days to work on a home business while my child is in a beautiful surrounding cared for by people that are specially trained in child development and particularly in the importance of connection, movement and linguistic mothering, would have made me feel confident about starting a business. 2 full days would allow me the time to focus and get down to business or to take a course. Finding the right babysitter, caregiver or nanny can be extremely challenging. The Waldorf Childcare centre is like finding the perfect mother-in-law to look after your child but with the expertise of recent research and support of a community that reveres childhood.
Jen Deathe