Comeback after a career break..

Let me start by saying that I had no option but to choose

It was a hard choice, I knew I would lose

One thing or the other, and the choice I made

Reflected my priorities at the time, therefore I stayed

With my newborn child, put my promising career on hold

Working part-time from home would exclude me, I was told

From any possibility of future promotions or rise

In my career, why was I willing to compromise

Something to which I had devoted much time and effort

(Insinuations that I was taking away from “deserving” men did hurt)

Why did I not hire full-time help or rely

On grandparents, why did I not give it a try..

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I do not think I need to explain how I prioritized

My child over my career, I am not surprised

That my choice would make people decide I was not

As committed to my career as they had thought

Sometimes I too wondered the same

In placing my career on hold, was I to blame?

Then I would look at my angel, and be reassured anew

That placing him above my career was the right thing to do

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Now my child has grown, and I am ready to rejoin the workforce

I am prepared for re-training and tough questions, of course

I do understand when managers feel I should not be

In preference to those working without breaks, given an opportunity

Except, I am the same ambitious and sincere worker as before

Truth be told, after this break, I am motivated even more

As a mother, a different set of skills I have acquired

That can be applied to the workplace, in fact such skills are highly desired

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I know my situation is not at all unique

There are many women out there who seek

To rejoin the workforce after needed breaks

To care for their children, as a society we need to make

Conditions conducive for motivated women for re-entry

Into the workforce, to give mothers this opportunity