It’s one thing to bring a baby into the world, but for Abi, her maternity leave took on a whole new dimension when along with baby, came a new venture as a Shared Lives carer. Since 2023, Abi has learned that it’s totally possible to balance early motherhood, a job as a development worker and life as a Shared Lives carer.
In this blog, Abi shares in her own words her experience of becoming a Shared Lives carer combined with early motherhood.
Embracing Shared Lives on maternity leave
After five years of working at PSS and seeing how rewarding being a Shared Lives carer is, I figured my maternity leave was a perfect time to dive into becoming a Shared Lives carer. I made my application in good time, a few months before my due date so that I could be assessed and ready to welcome someone into my home well in advance of the baby’s arrival. The fact I’d have a baby in the house wasn’t a barrier to becoming a Shared Lives carer but it did mean the match had to be just right.
Things were going completely to plan. My assessment was complete and the final stage, the panel interview, was happening in good time before my maternity leave was going to start. But of course, not all things go to plan! Right before my panel interview, it turned out my little Leo couldn’t wait. He’d decided he was going to join us five weeks early. So, there we were, Leo and I, ready to embark on this new journey together!
‘It’s been a joy having Charlotte around, especially during those early months of motherhood when the days felt long and sometimes lonely’
Since then, our family has welcomed Charlotte into our home for short breaks (this is when a Shared Lives carer supports someone in their home for anything from a day to a few weeks at a time). It’s been a joy having Charlotte around, especially during those early months of motherhood when the days felt long and sometimes lonely.
Balancing parenthood and care
Being a Shared Lives carer during my maternity leave has been a blessing. It’s allowed me to work flexibly from home, so I can fit caring for Charlotte around Leo’s schedule. Not many roles offer this kind of flexibility, and it’s made all the difference.
One of the best parts about being a Shared Lives carer has been watching Leo and Charlotte bond. They’ve had a blast doing fun activities, going on outings, and getting creative with arts and crafts. It’s not just about caregiving; it’s about building meaningful connections and enriching each other’s lives.
I want Leo to grow up knowing the importance of embracing everyone’s differences and making sure everyone feels valued and supported.
Having a Deafblind brother, I’ve always valued inclusion and understanding of disabilities. I want Leo to grow up knowing the importance of embracing everyone’s differences and making sure everyone feels valued and supported.
Even after returning to work, we’ve continued to welcome Charlotte into our home. She’s become a cherished part of our family, sharing stories with Leo and encouraging him to interact and learn. And its heartwarming to see how Leo’s healthy eating habits have rubbed off on Charlotte, showing the positive impact we can have on each other’s lives.
Becoming a Shared Lives carer has been a wonderfully fulfilling experience for our family. It’s shown us the beauty of connection, empathy, and the joy of making a difference in someone else’s life.