I get asked when I'm going back to work constantly and I don't know how to answer because I genuinely don't know myself
it started right after my maternity leave ended. like before I even had a chance to figure out how I felt about being home someone was already asking when I was going back.
and at first I had an answer. "probably when she's one." then she turned one and I wasn't ready and I said "maybe when she starts school." and now people are looking at me like I need to explain myself more thoroughly and honestly I don't have a better answer than I did a year ago. the thing is I don't regret staying home. my kid is thriving and I genuinely believe this is what's best for our family right now. but there's this pressure that creeps in every time someone asks. like I'm supposed to have a five year plan and a reentry date circled on a calendar somewhere.
my mom asks every few months. my old coworkers ask when we catch up. even people I barely know ask it like it's small talk. and every single time I either give a vague non answer or I over explain myself to someone who wasn't actually that invested in the first place.
the part I don't say out loud is that I'm also a little scared of the answer. like what if I don't know because I actually have no idea who I am professionally anymore.
how do you handle this question without feeling like you have to justify your whole life to people? and how do you deal with it when the pressure starts coming from inside the house too?