What does ‘having it all’ mean to you? Having the career, relationship, and family you want without sacrificing one of them for any of the others It’s a tall order. In this article, we’ll help you do some career planning for if or when you decide to have children, perhaps taking you closer to that elusive balance.

What are some practical career planning tips?

You’ve likely been planning your career since you finished school, so let’s look at how you can adapt those plans to accommodate a growing family.

Look at your career with clear eyes. How will having a baby impact your long-term goals? Your salary, job satisfaction, or opportunities for advancement may be impacted by becoming a parent. How will you deal with this?

On that note, if you have a partner, how does he or she plan to make work accommodate parenthood? Will one or both of you have to be flexible or make sacrifices as you share responsibilities?

Next, you should assess the maternity and/or paternity leave policies available to you. What are these in your country and at your company? You may need to research thoroughly to protect your jobs and ensure a smooth return to work when you’re ready.

Discuss nannies, other childcare professionals, and even family members who can help while you are trying to balance parenting with reaching your career goals. Researching these supportive people can also help you make contingency plans for when your child is ill or you have scheduling trouble.

Think about when you’ll need breaks. Even with support, you may have to plan for career breaks and think about how they will affect your work situation overall.

So, how can you manage your career while planning a family?

Keep connecting with your professional network when you’re pregnant and after your return from leave. This may include staying in touch with former colleagues or attending industry events.

Be prepared to stay flexible. You may have to change your hours or even rethink your long-term goals as your family expands. The realities of being a parent may require compromises you didn’t expect.

You could also look at alternative working arrangements. Remote work or freelancing can provide more flexibility when starting a family. It is important to research these options thoroughly. Consider how they may impact your career goals, as it can be difficult to return to your original path if they’re not what you expected or don’t meet your family’s financial needs.

You may have domestic bliss on your mind often, especially if you’re carrying your baby, but it is also important to plan for future career growth. This may include taking online courses or attending industry events that teach you more about what you do.

Your employer needs to know your plans. They probably won’t be the first people you want to tell you’re expecting, but communication with your employer is key when starting a family, especially if you plan to change your hours or role when you return to work. These changes could impact your whole team. It is important to discuss your plans and potential time-off needs, as well as any alternative work arrangements that may be available.

So, in sum, starting a family may give you a new source of purpose and fulfilment, but you shouldn’t forget to nurture your professional life.

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