Should I wait for a promotion before trying for a baby?
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Should I wait for a promotion before trying for a baby?
I’m a Muslim woman in my late 20s, working a corporate job, and my husband and I are thinking of trying for a baby, InshaAllah, within the next 6 months.
I’m confused about whether I should wait. My manager has told me I’m likely to get promoted in the next 6 months, so part of me thinks I should wait for the promotion and then start trying. But another part of me feels that I shouldn’t keep delaying starting a family just because of my career.
My company also offers around 24 weeks of paid maternity leave. I’m thinking I could take the full leave and then decide whether I want to return to work. If I find that managing a corporate job and childcare is too exhausting, I may consider quitting.
As a Muslim, I also really want to be involved in raising my children and giving them a strong foundation in deen — Quran, salah, Islamic values, etc. I’m even considering taking a career break until my child is around 6–7 years old and then returning to work once they start school.
But I’m worried about leaving my career for several years and whether I’ll regret it later.
For women who have been in a similar situation, especially Muslim women, what would you prioritize?
Would you:
Wait for the promotion and then try?
Start trying now and not worry too much about the promotion?
Take maternity leave and then decide?
Leave your career for a few years to focus on raising your child?
I’d really appreciate honest advice, especially from women who have already gone through this.