Childcare, Guilt, and Career: My Unfiltered Story of Returning to Work

Returning to the workforce after nearly three years as a full-time mum was one of the most challenging transitions I've faced. The career in PR and digital marketing that I had passionately built in my twenties and thirties was calling to me, but the path back was anything but smooth. This is my story of navigating the hurdles, the guilt, and the ultimate rewards of being a working mum.

My experience reflects a broader Australian reality: women's workforce participation has reached record highs of 63.4% in 2025, with maternal employment climbing to 78%—up from 67% in 2015. Yet behind these encouraging numbers lies a complex web of challenges that every returning mother faces.

My Quick Verdict: 

Returning to the workforce after becoming a mother is a journey filled with logistical hurdles and emotional complexity. By starting your childcare search early, acknowledging (and then pushing through) the inevitable "mum guilt," and focusing on finding a flexible role that values your skills, it is absolutely possible to build a fulfilling career without sacrificing your family's wellbeing.

The Childcare Challenge: Finding the Right Fit for Your Family

One of the first and most significant obstacles for any Australian parent wanting to return to work is securing reliable childcare. Our family moved three times in three years, and with each move, I found myself at the bottom of a new daycare waiting list. The situation on the Central Coast is particularly tough, with wait times for quality centres ranging from one to three years—a reality reflected across Australia where families face waiting periods of up to 18 months in some Perth suburbs and over 12 months in regional Queensland

The statistics are sobering: 40% of Perth's long daycare centres are completely booked out, with some managing waiting lists of up to 200 families. In regional areas, the situation is even more dire, with some centres only able to accommodate 22-39% of children in their target age groups.

After a persistent search, I was fortunate to find a wonderful little centre for my daughter. This experience taught me the importance of:

• Starting your search early: Get on waiting lists as soon as you are pregnant. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reports that most families now join childcare waitlists more than a year in advance, often before the child is even born.
• Exploring all your options: Look into family daycare, in-home care, and nanny-sharing in addition to traditional centres. With 3.7 million regional Australians living in 'childcare deserts'—areas where there are three children per childcare place—alternative care arrangements have become essential.
• Trusting your intuition: When you find the right place, you'll know. A supportive and nurturing environment for your child is paramount.
  

Overcoming Working Mum Guilt: Acknowledging it and Moving Forward

The decision to leave my daughter in someone else's care, even for a few days a week, was emotionally wrenching. She had rarely been away from me for more than a couple of hours since birth, and the thought of a full day apart felt unbearable.

I wasn't alone in this struggle. Research shows that 78% of Australian mothers report feeling guilty about working, with 68% experiencing these feelings once or twice daily. More concerning is that 92% of working mothers report feeling guilty and anxious about returning to work, compared to 77% of men.

However, I started to notice her growing desire to interact with other children her age. This realisation helped me to push past the guilt and focus on the positive aspects of this new chapter. Studies show that 94% of working mothers believe that working sets a good example to their children, even while grappling with guilt.

While the guilt may never completely disappear, you learn to manage it. Seeing your child flourish, make new friends, and enjoy their time at daycare makes it all worthwhile. Research confirms that 30% of Australian mothers in paid work experience strong tension between work and family responsibilities, but this strain often decreases as families adapt to new routines.

Finding Your Footing: The Search for a Flexible and Fulfilling Career

With my daughter happily settled in daycare, it was time to focus on my own transition back to work. My nearly three-year resume gap felt like a significant hurdle. Living an hour and a half from Sydney also limited my options to remote work.

Initial interviews were challenging; my confidence was low, and it showed. However, I persevered, and my determination eventually paid off. I found a fantastic freelance SEO opportunity with partners who value my skills and understand my need for flexibility. I recognise how incredibly fortunate I am to have the ability to work from home—a luxury that has become crucial, with 81% of Australian working parents stating they would consider quitting if required to work more days in the office.

What's *Actually* Helping Me Survive: My 6 Strategies

The idea of being the "perfect" working mum is a myth. We are all just doing our best. Here are six strategies that have helped me on my journey:

1. Prioritise ruthlessly: You can't do it all, and that's okay. Focus on what's most important in both your work and home life on any given day. Research shows that one in three Australian parents experience work-family conflict, making prioritisation essential.
2. Share the mental and physical load: A supportive partner is crucial. Openly communicate and divide household and parenting responsibilities. Statistics reveal that 70% of respondents agree that mothers take a bigger role in bearing childcare responsibilities within families, making equitable sharing even more important,
3. Accept help when it's offered: Whether it's from family, friends, or a paid service, don't be afraid to lean on your support system.
4. Remember, this is a phase: The early years with young children are demanding. Know that it gets easier, and you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed at times.
5. Find your tribe: Connect with other working mothers. Sharing experiences, laughter, and even tears with friends who understand is invaluable.
6. Embrace the imperfection: Let go of the guilt of not having it all figured out. We are all learning as we go.

Trust your instincts

My story is part of a larger transformation happening across Australia. Significant challenges remain. Working mothers continue to face a 'motherhood penalty,' earning 5% less per hour than they would have without children, with this penalty persisting for at least a decade.

The statistics show we're not alone in this juggling act—we're part of a generation of women redefining what it means to be both a devoted mother and a fulfilled professional. The path isn't always smooth, and the guilt doesn't always disappear. But above all, trust your instincts. You know what is best for you and your family. Be kind to yourself, celebrate the small wins, and know that you are doing an amazing job.