Parental leave is not just about the practicalities of caring for your baby, such as stroller walks, sleepless nights, and feeding schedules. It’s a precious time filled with joy and unforgettable moments. It’s also an opportunity for personal growth and development. Modern moms have numerous ways to engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities. Let’s explore some wonderful options.
Start a Parenthood Blog
You must have noticed countless interesting things about your baby and yourself. After all, your little one is busy discovering the world, while you are gaining wisdom in the art of parenting. So why not channel your observations into a blog? You can write from your own perspective or even create a persona for your child. Share adorable photos, narrate funny or heartwarming stories, and provide valuable tips based on your personal experiences. The wealth of content is already within your reach, growing with each passing day. Your blog will become an interactive chronicle of your baby’s growth.
If your blog gains popularity, you might even have the opportunity to earn some income through advertising. But even if you don’t amass thousands of subscribers, you’ll still have a cherished interactive diary to look back on in the future, bringing a smile to your face as you reminisce about this special period.
Engage in Fitness and Self-Care
Many new mothers aspire to regain their shape as soon as possible after childbirth, and you have ample opportunities to achieve that! You can increase your physical activity and take care of your figure without compromising your motherhood duties by following these suggestions:
Take frequent stroller walks. Instead of sitting on a bench with a book in hand, opt for brisk walks that are more beneficial for your figure. You can still enjoy your book by listening to it in audio format while on the move.
Consider joining a baby yoga class or practicing at home. These exercises involve performing movements while holding your baby, making them both adorable and effective for your fitness goals.
Incorporate workouts into your daily routine. Exercise while watching a series, cleaning the house, cooking, or even during playtime with your child. For instance, you can use a stepper while enjoying your favorite TV show.
If you have the opportunity to entrust your child to relatives or a nanny for a while, take advantage of it to indulge in self-care. You can pamper yourself with at-home beauty treatments or treat yourself to a visit to a beauty salon, promoting both your appearance and well-being.
Explore a New Profession
If your previous job demanded a significant amount of time and effort, and you no longer feel inclined or able to return to it after your parental leave, consider a profession that can be easily balanced with family and childcare responsibilities. IT and digital technologies, for example, offer promising opportunities in this regard.
But what about the training aspect? During your leave, you may have limited free time for attending classes, and the cost of paid education might be unaffordable while on maternity leave.
Here’s some good news! There is a special state program available as part of the federal project “Personnel for the Digital Economy” that allows mothers (and other eligible categories of citizens in the Russian Federation) to learn a new profession either for free or at a significant discount. The Netology educational platform offers this program, which provides a 50%, 75%, or 100% discount on the cost of obtaining an IT or digital profession. Additionally, the platform can assist you with subsequent employment.
The eligible categories of citizens include:
- Parents of children under 3 years old, even if their income exceeds the regional average.
- Unemployed individuals registered with the employment center.
- People with confirmed disabilities.
- Citizens of the Russian Federation with salaries below the regional average.
- Students of colleges, technical schools, and universities.
- Employees of public organizations.
The training at Netology is conducted through evening webinars twice a week. If you miss a session, you can access the recorded classes. The best part is that you can participate from the comfort of your home at a time that suits you, as long as you have a computer or suitable mobile device with internet access.
While your child is sleeping or playing with their dad, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to dedicate time to your studies. You can pursue a remote profession that truly aligns with motherhood, allowing you to strike a balance between your career and your role as a mom. Upon completing the course, the experts at Netology’s “Career Center” will provide assistance in finding suitable job vacancies and preparing for interviews. This way, you’ll soon embark on a fulfilling career in your newly acquired profession.
