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Step 1
Evaluate your child care situation. If you have a trusted friend or relative to provide child care, working outside the home will be much easier. Daycare centers can be big, expensive, and impersonal, but not all child care facilities are created equal. The bottom line is that if you can find caring, affordable child care with people you trust, working outside the home will be far easier.
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Step 2
Consider your children's ages. If your children are school age, the considerations are quite different than if they are babies or toddlers. While kids always need your attention, it generally takes more immediate time and energy to meet the needs of very young children. If you can afford it, consider postponing your return to work until your kids are older.
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Step 3
While working full-time might be too much for both you and your young child, consider looking for part-time work. Or, if you're well established in your current position, your employer might consider allowing you to work part-time in order to avoid losing a valuable employee. You might also consider offering to work from home a couple of days a week.
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Step 4
If you are irritable and miserable as a stay at home mom vs. working mom, then working outside the home may be a better choice for you. If you are the primary wage earner, you may even consider discussing the possibility of your husband taking on more domestic and child rearing tasks. Maybe he'd like to be a stay at home dad, or work part-time while the kids are in school.
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Step 5
If you've evaluated the relative benefits of being a stay at home mom vs. working mom and you're stuck in one or the other position, don't despair. If your goal is to stay home, invest some time learning how you can cut your expenses or build up residual income. If you are staying home with a young child but feel frustrated, realize that it's temporary and enjoy your child while he's little. You'll have plenty of time to work outside the home later, and your kids will be all grown up in the blink of an eye.
