The Moment Motherhood Made Me Quit My Job

Thirteen years ago, I became a mum and everything shifted. Happy 13th birthday, Harris!

The career I’d worked so hard for suddenly felt heavy. Stressful.

Like the very thing that was going to take me away from the baby I’d just fallen completely in love with.

Those early months on maternity leave gave me space to think in a way I never really had before.

Who was I now?

And what did I actually want my life to look like?

Becoming Harris’ mum surprised me more than I can put into words.

The pull to be with him,  to watch him grow- was stronger than anything I’d ever felt.

And yet… how could I do that while leaving the house at 7.30am and getting home at 5pm every day?

I tried. For a short while.

He hated nursery.

I felt constantly torn.

Exhausted.

Like I was doing a rubbish job everywhere — at work and as a mum.

Maybe you recognise that feeling.

Being pulled in every direction and never quite feeling like you’re enough anywhere.

We later learned that Harris’ highly sensitive nature was an early sign of autism- but that’s a story for another day.

What I did know, very clearly, was this: our family needed a different way of living.

In the short term, a stable salary and a decent pension suddenly felt less important than being home.

So I made some big changes. Brave changes.

But they didn’t come without fear.

I worried there would be no going back if things didn’t work out.

That by stepping away, doors might close behind me.

I worried about money- whether I’d miss the security of a regular income and whether relying more on my husband would put strain on our relationship.

These weren’t just fleeting worries.

They were real, heavy thoughts that I thought about daily.

Still, something deeper told me I couldn’t ignore the feeling that this wasn’t the life I wanted to model for our family.

So I handed in my notice.

And shortly after, I trained to become a Hypnobirthing teacher.

I knew it could give me flexibility.
I knew it could allow me to earn well.
And most of all, I knew it was something I genuinely cared about.

Was I scared? Absolutely.

But I also knew this: for less than the cost of a five-day trip to Centre Parcs, I could create an entirely new way of working.

So I did.

And something unexpected happened.

Once I trained, I felt a new enthusiasm I hadn’t realised I’d lost. I felt lit up. Excited.

I met lovely people. I started to dream bigger- not just about work, but about life.

That sense of possibility crept back in.
I wasn’t just surviving the weeks anymore.
I was building something that felt exciting.

Looking back now, I’m deeply grateful for those difficult weeks back in my old career.
If they hadn’t felt so grim, I might never have given myself permission to change things.

That decision has shaped our family life in ways I could never have imagined.
It’s changed me as a person too.

And if any part of this has stirred something in you…If there’s been a wondering about doing something new…

About taking your love of pregnancy and birth and turning it into work that fits around your life…

I’m hosting a completely free 3-day online training where I share what it’s really like to become a Hypnobirthing teacher and how to be a fantastic one!

Over three days, I’ll walk you through the skills, the reality and how to make a success of it- especially if you’re juggling family and a desire for meaningful work.

You can join live or catch the replays in your own time.

If the start of 2026 has nudged you to stop overthinking and simply explore what’s possible, this free training could be the perfect place to begin.

Save your spot here: www.loveyourbirthtraining.com/freetraining

I’d love to welcome you inside.

Abby x