Since giving birth to your adorable little one, you’ve been happy to put work on hold and stay home to raise her. But lately, you may be wondering if it’s time to get back on the career ladder – whether it’s for personal fulfilment, helping your husband pay the bills, or missing the hustle and bustle of working life.

The good news is, now may be one of the best times to be a working mum in Singapore. With NTUC’s suggestion of a government-sponsored Returnship programme earlier in January, offering a two to four-month paid job trial to women looking to go back to work again, the time is ripe for mums to consider part-time, freelance or full-time work.

“Some women sacrifice their careers for their families for a few years and find that their current job choices may be very rigid, especially if they are trying to get back to work after a long time,” says Desmond Choo, NTUC’s Champion for Women and Family.

“They might also need a mindset adjustment to fulfil the expectations required of a full-time employee. With the slowing economy, (returning to work) is also a way they can chip in to help their family.”

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If you’re worried about Baby coping with your absence, don’t fret. A recent study from the University of Connecticut found that mothers going back to work early (within two years of their child’s birth) doesn’t harm child development.

In their research of children born in the early 2000’s from the US, UK and Australia, researchers found that when they entered school, children of mothers who went back to work early had cognitive and behavioral skills similar to those of children whose mothers weren’t employed during the first two years after childbirth.

If you’re considering going back to work after taking a break to raise your kids, here are some local resources to help you ease back into the workforce.