Ep 4 - Childcare Real Talk: What No One Talks About When You're Going Back to Work

In this episode of Back to Work, Carrie and Angie dive into what happens after you land the job — the messy, beautiful, complicated logistics of actually being back at work. From finding childcare to juggling schedules, sick days, and the emotional load of it all, this conversation is here to name and normalize the very real challenges that come with re-entering the workforce as a mom.

What We Talk About:

• The emotional and logistical shift from being home full-time to working outside the home

• Real-life childcare stories: home daycares, family help, and the rising costs of care

• Split schedules and how they affect relationships and mental load

• The ripple effect of sick days and school closures

• Why having a “school-age” child doesn’t automatically make things easier

• The power of naming your challenges and normalizing the chaos

Key Takeaways:
💡 There’s no “perfect” childcare situation — only what works best for your family right now.
💡 Split shifts may save on daycare costs but can strain relationships and energy.
💡 Even with school-aged kids, expect interruptions — sick days, breaks, and random closures are part of the deal.
💡 You’re not failing — it’s just hard. Naming it helps you breathe easier.
💡 You are a badass for showing up in all of this.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• ChildCare.gov – National resource for finding licensed childcare providers and learning about financial assistance options

• NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) – Guidance on choosing quality early childhood programs

• Care.com – Platform for finding local childcare providers, nannies, and babysitters

Quote of the Episode:

“Name it and normalize it. There’s nothing wrong with you — you’re doing great.”

Connect:

• Download Back to Work in 3 Steps!

• Subscribe to Back to Work wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave a review to help other moms find the show.

• Visit Carrie McFarland Coaching

Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Returning to Work

Returning to work after being a stay-at-home mom is a huge transition—and it comes with emotions that are rarely talked about. In this episode, Carrie and Angie dive into the guilt, grief, anxiety, and even excitement that accompany stepping back into the workforce.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why guilt is often the first emotion moms feel when returning to work—and how it can sneak into every part of your day.

• The role of grief in the transition and why not feeling sad can sometimes trigger guilt.

• How anxiety and catastrophizing can make the adjustment harder, and strategies to recognize and manage these feelings.

• The split-attention effect: balancing work responsibilities with family life without losing your mind.

• Why excitement about returning to work is normal—and why it can sometimes trigger guilt too.

• Practical tips for self-compassion, patience, and processing big emotions.

• A teaser for tools and questions to help distinguish justified guilt from unnecessary mental overload (see show notes for links).

Key Takeaways:

• All emotions you’re feeling are normal and expected.

• There’s no “one right way” to navigate this transition.

• Allowing yourself to feel these emotions without judgment is critical for moving forward successfully.

• Support systems matter—find someone you can talk to about these big feelings.

Resources & Links:

• Free Guide: Are you feeling unnecessary guilt?

• Carrie McFarland Coaching

Episode 2: The Identity Shift

In this episode of Back to Work, Carrie and Angie dive into the messy, emotional, and very real transition from being a stay-at-home mom to stepping back into the workforce.

They talk about the identity shift that happens when you move from being the one who’s always home with the kids to sharing that role with others. It’s not just about finding a job—it’s about redefining who you are, grieving what you’re leaving behind, and learning to see that your value isn’t limited to one role.

Carrie shares her personal story of going back to work after eight years at home, the guilt she felt, and the moments that made her question her decision. Angie reflects on her own career transitions and how identity evolves across different life stages. Together, they normalize the mix of grief, guilt, and control issues moms often face in this process—while also pointing toward confidence, compassion, and a mindset shift that can make it easier.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why the “loss of identity” is a very real part of going back to work

• Carrie’s raw experience of feeling like she was abandoning her kids

• The cultural messages that pile on the guilt (like the dreaded “18 summers” line)

• How control and fear of missing out play into the transition

• The ongoing pressures on moms as primary caregivers, even when working full-time

• How to reframe your role so you don’t feel like you’re “doing it wrong”

This conversation is here to remind you that you’re not alone in the shift—and that your identity is bigger than any one label.

Resources & Next Steps:

• Catch our first episode for a full introduction to who we are and why we started this podcast.

• If you’re curious about self-care for moms, check out our previous podcast, Self Care for Moms.

• Subscribe and follow for more weekly conversations about making the transition back to work with confidence and clarity.

Carrie McFarland Coaching

Episode 1: The Truth About Moms Going Back to Work

When a stay-at-home mom decides to go back to work, it’s never just about getting a job. It’s about navigating identity shifts, family dynamics, emotions, and the logistics no one really talks about. That’s why we created the Back to Work podcast—for moms who are ready (or feel pushed) to re-enter the workforce but aren’t sure where to begin.

In this first episode, hosts Carrie McFarland and Angie Turgeon-Ledoux share their personal journeys of transition:

• Carrie reflects on her unexpected return to work after 8 years at home, balancing motherhood, financial pressures, and identity shifts.

• Angie shares her perspective as an educator, life coach, military spouse, and now retiree, drawing parallels between career changes, identity, and emotional transitions.

Together, they set the stage for what this podcast is about: honest conversations, practical tips, and real stories about finding, getting, and keeping a job that works for you and your family.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why going back to work is more than just “getting a job.”

• The emotional layers of transition that often get overlooked.

• Carrie’s HR and coaching expertise and how it shapes her advice for moms re-entering the workforce.

• Angie’s lived experiences with big life shifts and how tarot and coaching support her process.

• The shared vision behind Back to Work: addressing the in-between—the messy, emotional, real part of transition that often goes unspoken.

Takeaway:Transitions are hard, messy, and complex. You don’t have to rush through them or feel like you’re failing if it doesn’t come easily. This space is for moms like you, walking through the return-to-work journey with honesty, support, and encouragement.

👉 Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.👉 Share with a mom friend who’s been thinking about going back to work.

Resources & Links:

• • Get your free guide 3 Steps to Finding a Job
  • Carrie and Angie’s former podcast: Self Care for Moms (still available if you want to explore past episodes).
• • Subscribe to never miss an episodes packed with tips, advice, and stories to help you on your back-to-work journey.
  • Carrie McFarland Coaching

Hi Moms. I’m Carrie McFarland and if you’ve been with me since Self Care for Moms, you know that podcast was all about helping overwhelmed moms reclaim their time, energy, and well-being. I loved creating that show and seeing how it helped so many of you find confidence, joy, and fulfillment again. That season has wrapped up, but it opened the door to something new.

Because here’s the thing—once you start putting yourself first, the next question often comes up: what’s next for me? For many of us, the answer is going back to work. But that’s when the doubts, guilt, and second-guessing can come flooding in. I know this firsthand. I was a stay-at-home mom for eight years before I returned to work, and I felt torn in every direction. At work, I worried about my kids. At home, I worried about not doing my best at work. I felt like I was failing everywhere—and I know I’m not the only one who’s been there.

That’s why I started Back to Work. Angie and I are here to help stay-at-home moms move past the fear of reentering the workforce—because we all know it’s about so much more than just finding a job. I’ve lived it, and I also bring nearly 20 years in HR and recruiting to share what really makes a difference when you’re ready to step back in.

Each week you’ll hear tips, stories, and honest conversations to help you move forward with confidence. I hope you’ll join us for encouragement, clarity, and a few laughs along the way.

The first episode drops October 8th. We can’t wait to see you there.

In the meantime, checkout the Back To Work website and get your free guide to finding a job.

https://www.carriemcfarland.com/

Becoming a mom can often mean choosing your new identity over your old identity. The person you knew is gone and is replaced with someone who takes care of little humans and doesn't have much time for anything else. In this video we talk about the major contributing factors to moms losing their identity and what to do about it.

When you're done with the video make sure to click the free resource link to take you to all the free goodies.

Enjoy!

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In this episode, we chat about the stress and overwhelm many moms experience. We talk about how our habits can feel good in the moment but may have long-term downsides.

We lift the curtain into our own lives and talk about all the things

• Quick fixes vs. lasting effects: How our habits can feel good now but hurt us later.
• Signs you’re overwhelmed: Spotting physical and emotional clues that it’s too much.
• Getting back on track: Tips to see when you're avoiding life and how to boost your energy.
• Being aware matters: Making choices that really help your well-being.

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In this episode, we talk about the challenges moms face when trying to make friends. Many moms feel anxious or doubt themselves, thinking that others won’t want to connect. It can also be tough to find the time to socialize with busy schedules and kids’ activities. To help with starting conversations, we’ve created a free Conversation Starter List to make it easier to break the ice. Click here to get your copy