Guest column:

Deborah Davis

Arecent survey showed that two-in-five working mums had taken, or were considering taking, a step back from work, as they struggled to juggle childcare during the pandemic.

And now that restrictions have eased and people are going back to the workplace, parents are struggling again. Some new mums are also going back into work for the first time since having a child, which will undoubtedly make them feel nervous.

I have three children – James, 30, Matt, 26, and Tiffany, 24 – so I understand how hard it is to juggle a career and kids. When I had James, I didn’t go back to work until he was 10 months old and I remember going to the train station on the first day back and crying. I sobbed on the phone to my parents for weeks.

Eventually, I ended up paying my parents to look after him! I needed childcare and they offered, but I paid them £65 a week, back in 1992. I think family members should rally around as much as possible to help out.

I decided to go back to my job in accounts because I enjoy providing for my family. Remember, you are doing it to give your child the best possible life and to put food on the table.

But it must be even harder because of the pandemic. The problem is, a lot of families will be left with debt thanks to Covid and mums need to work, but childcare is very expensive.

I think the government should give parents more financial support towards childcare, as it’s also going to be very difficult for new mums going back to work when their children are too young for school.

● For advice on how to feel confident going back to work, turn to page 51