Building a Work Life That Fits Your New Priorities

From Parenthood Pause to Career Pivot:

1. The Identity Shift No One Talks About.

Does this sound familiar, it comes from a conversation with a client recently…

“As I settled back into work, I couldn't help but notice the widening gap between my evolving priorities as a mother and the expectations placed upon me in my role.

The values and aspirations that once aligned seamlessly with my job now seemed out of sync with the person I had become.

Each day, this internal conflict grew stronger—was I willing to keep sacrificing my mental well-being and family life for a career that no longer resonated with my core values?

The hardest part wasn’t the logistics of returning to work; it was the emotional dissonance. I wasn’t the same person who had left. My perspective had shifted. The job that once felt like a perfect fit now felt like a compromise.”

This story isn’t unique. Parenthood forces a reevaluation of priorities, and for many, it means redefining success altogether.

But how do you navigate that shift without losing momentum? How do you frame your career break as a strength, not a setback?

That’s where a fresh approach is needed—one that doesn’t just try to slot you back into the old mould but instead starts from a blank slate.

2. The Parenthood Gap Problem and Identity Shift

Why Returning to Work Feels So Hard

The challenge isn’t just about reskilling or explaining the gap—it’s about navigating a fundamental shift in identity. Parenthood doesn’t just add responsibilities; it reshapes your values, your goals, and how you define success.

• Your Priorities Have Changed: The things that once motivated you—prestige, promotions, long hours—may no longer feel worth it. Instead, flexibility, purpose, or a deeper connection to your work might matter more.

• Work Looks Different Now: You’re no longer just evaluating jobs based on salary and title. You’re looking at workplace culture, autonomy, and whether a role aligns with your life as a parent.

• The Fear of Being Left Behind: The worry that employers will see your career break as a disadvantage can create doubt—but that’s a narrative you can control.

This isn’t about ‘getting back to where you were.’ It’s about deciding where you actually want to go next.

3. The Zero-Based Budgeting Approach to Career Design

Rethinking Work From Scratch

When businesses want to make smart financial decisions, they don’t just tweak last year’s budget—they start fresh. Zero-based budgeting means assuming a null point of needs and desires, questioning every expense, and rebuilding based on what truly matters.

This approach works for careers, too. Instead of trying to fit yourself back into an old role that no longer aligns with your priorities, start from a clean slate:

🔹 What do you need?
🔹 What do you want?
🔹 What can you leave behind?

This mindset allows you to design a work life that actually fits your values, not just the version of success you used to chase.

4. Redesigning Your Career Using Push and Pull Factors

Clarifying What You’re Moving Away From—And What You’re Moving Towards

When making a career shift post-parenthood, clarity is key. The Push and Pull Factors framework helps you understand:

• Push Factors: What drove you away from your last role? (e.g., rigid hours, lack of purpose, unsupportive culture).

• Pull Factors: What excites you about your next step? (e.g., meaningful work, flexibility, autonomy).

📝 Quick Exercise:
1️⃣ List 5 things you want to leave behind (your push factors).
2️⃣ List 5 things you want more of (your pull factors).
3️⃣ Rank your top 3 pull factors—these will guide your career decisions.

This process helps you focus on what truly matters, ensuring your next move is based on intention, not habit.

For a deeper dive into this exercise check out this comprehensive step by step

5. Reframe the Parenthood Gap as a Strength

The Career Break That Made You Better

Your time away from work wasn’t a pause—it was a period of growth that made you more focused, empathetic, and adaptable.

✅ Leadership Under Pressure: Managing a toddler’s meltdown in a supermarket is crisis management at its finest.
✅ Unmatched Problem-Solving: Juggling work, family, and personal goals requires efficiency and prioritisation.
✅ A Clearer Sense of Purpose: You now have a better understanding of what truly matters.

The key is to own your narrative. Instead of apologising for the gap, confidently frame it as a time of personal and professional evolution.

And whilst I never lie, I would allow a degree of creative licence in your thinking here. Mainly to compensate for the face that we typically bias against singing our own praises.

So go ahead - channel the inner ‘hype buddy’ vibes

6. Action Steps for a Career Pivot Post-Parenthood

🔹 Start with Push and Pull Factors – Get clear on what you need.
🔹 Practice Your Story – Reframe the ‘gap’ as an asset in interviews.
🔹 Network With Intention – Conversations open doors. Be sure you are making the most of your Climate Career Conversations
🔹 Test the Waters – trial shadow working, volunteering and freelance/consult, or take on short-term projects before making a big leap.

8. Conclusion: Your Blank Slate Is Your Superpower

The hardest part of returning to work after parenthood isn’t updating your skills—it’s shifting your mindset. Instead of trying to fit back into your old career, ask yourself:

💡 What if you could build a work life that actually fits you?

Your blank slate is your opportunity. Start fresh, design boldly, and redefine success on your terms.

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Andy - The Positive Career Coach