If you went back to work, why?

I went back bc i couldn't afford not to. My husband makes good money but not enough to live in California! I only took 4 weeks pp (+1 week before birth).
It was also the best thing for my mental health to go back to work. I couldnt handle being alone all day.
I teach private music lessons in my parents' home and my dad is baby's primary daycare so it works well. I get to do what I love but am just a little ways away if he needs me.

I went back to work in mid-January. I own my own business and work as a massage therapist. It’s hard work but I love what I do and my clients, some I’ve seen regularly for months/years, are almost like family to me.

I set my own schedule so I only work 3 days a week, up to 4 hours at most, so it works perfectly with being a new mom and being in school full time for my Bachelor’s degree.

I don’t make a whole lot and my husband is the breadwinner, but I just use the income I make for my extra spending money and to add to our savings.

Seems like you already know all the valid reasons. But for me personally, Paid Mat leave time ran out, I’ve got a mortgage to pay, and I enjoy working to an extent. Or I guess I enjoy my current role. I’ve definitely worked for places where if I had been a new mom at the time, and I financially could have managed it, I would have quit and stayed home with my baby for like a year before going back part time. But in my current role, I work from home 3 days a week, I go to the office the other 2.
My husband has been on pat leave so when baby’s not being fed, it’s playtime with dad and settled to sleep for naps by dad
Even then it’s hard. Baby consumes my every thought right now 😅 But I’ve got great colleagues who are really supportive

I'm a single mom, but I live on the same property as my parents. I still pay $2k in rent. I work from home for a homeschool and I'm on contract meaning if I gave up my contracts, they would have to fill them and I likely wouldn't get them back next year. I took a month and a half off (until Winter Break was done) and now I have a friend I pay to come Tues + Thues 9am-noon ish and my mom watches my baby all of Wednesday, which is when I do the majority of my contracts (I head next door to feed on breaks). For meetings that randomly pop up on the odd Mon or Fri, I get my dad or friends to watch her.

Edit to add: working from home really helps in this case because when she gets fussy, I turn my camera off and pop her on my left boob (so my right hand is free to use the mouse lol).

I should also add that I have a really hard time being alone all day, so work has saved my mental health (somewhat). Weekends are really hard for me.

I really wish I didn’t have to but my husband is in school and takes care of the house. I’m a nurse with a good income & have been at my job for a while so they’re usually pretty good with my schedule. My husband will stay home with baby girl while he’s in school. I’ll work weekends & a day he’s at home during the week.

I went back to work because at the moment we thought we couldn’t afford it. I am currently at the point where I’m working my last 2 weeks and turning into a SAHM because I personally was having a very difficult time being away from my child. Some mamas are meant to be working mamas, and some aren’t and there’s nothing wrong with either whatsoever.