Recently my husband and I have been struggling financially, with medical bills piling up. We just had our first child, and he’s about 5 weeks old.

My husband was laid off not that long ago, but he will be collecting unemployment while looking for a job in the meantime. Originally I had planned on being a stay at home mom. But circumstances have pressed me to consider otherwise.

I was contacted by a former boss’ relative who offered me a part time position doing clerical work. She explained how it was salary pay, how she could offer me up to 20 hrs a week, and that the hours were so flexible that there were days I could bring my son in while doing paperwork in the office, undisturbed. I was so excited for this opportunity and wanted to jump on it right away.

Well I shared the good news with my in laws (we live in a shared space with them). My FIL supported my decision either way. My MIL, on the other hand, told me it was up to me and my husband. But she told me not to rush into things. It was her way of saying “I’ll support your decision, but I think your place is at home tending to baby.”

I’m determined to take this job offer. I don’t feel like my baby will suffer from neglect if I were to start working again. Especially if I can bring him with me most of the time. He’ll be two months by the time I start up.

I don’t think I should feel bad for wanting to help bring in income and support our family. My MIL thinks that by me going into work again, I’ll miss out on precious time spent with baby. She would rather I stayed home and let her son, my husband, be the breadwinner.

But I would rather take this opportunity so that I can get out of the house, make some side income and help provide for our family. We’ve got bills to pay.