Considering a career pause?

Hi mamas-

This week, we’re handing the mic to one of our FAVORITE moms, who is talking about career pauses and shifts—something that doesn’t get talked about enough and often carries a lot of shame in our society. We couldn’t be more thrilled for Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled, to take over The CARRY ALL this week!

-Paula, Founder CARRY™ Media ❤️

Hi everyone, thank you so much for welcoming me into the CARRY™ ALL this week! I’m Neha Ruch, a mom of two living in Manhattan, the founder of Mother Untitled, and the author of THE POWER PAUSE: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids—and Come Back Stronger Than Ever.

Nine years ago, I had my first child after a decade working in brand marketing and earning my MBA from Stanford. It was the height of the Lean In movement, and when I made the decision to downshift to part-time work and eventually take a full pause to be home with my kids, I was taken aback by the shame and stigma I faced. I quickly realized that ambitious women on career pauses were still burdened by outdated stereotypes, and many of us felt sidelined or dismissed.

That's when I launched Mother Untitled, as a community to help shift the perception of stay-at-home motherhood. My goal was—and still is—to empower women to take career pauses or downshifts with more confidence, without shame, and with a sense of possibility.

As my kids transitioned into full-time school, and as the world began to rethink the intersection of work and family, I began writing THE POWER PAUSE. This book is a guide for a new generation of ambitious women who want to plan their career breaks with financial dignity, create rhythms and support systems that work for them during this time, and unlock opportunities for personal growth and creative exploration. The ultimate aim is to return to the workforce stronger, more confident, and ready for the next chapter.

Enjoy!

-Neha

 This week in The CARRY™ ALL, we’re talking about:

• 💻 Jobs to Consider in the Gray Area

• 💵 Taking Control of Your Finances While On a Career Pause 

• 📕 The Power Pause Giveaway

THE BIG 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

1️⃣ 💻 Jobs to Consider in the Gray Area

The reality is that many of us exist in between the black and white titles of "stay-at-home" and "working" mother. After a pause, 87% of mothers still seek flexibility as their top priority for paid work. Our Mother Untitled flex jobs board is a weekly curation of part-time roles for family-friendly workplaces.

2️⃣ 💵 Taking Control of Your Finances While On a Career Pause

Just because you're not working for pay (or as much pay) in this season, you are still contributing to your household. Your partner working out of the home for pay is as dependent on your unpaid work as you are on their income. Adopting a joint household organization mindset is imperative. Here is our toolkit, with guides we put together with FairPlay and ElleVest, on preparing your finances and marriage for a career shift.

3️⃣ 📕 The Power Pause Giveaway

It’s time for the world to pay attention to career pauses as one powerful part of a long game so more women have choices to pause or downshift without penalty. To celebrate our movement, I want to give away 3 signed copies to women in this community. Write "POWER PAUSE" in the comments at the bottom of the newsletter to enter to win!

Also, check out my conversation with CARRY’s founder, Paula Faris, on her podcast about career pauses and why women are leaving the workforce. Listen HERE.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 🤎

for working moms with older children

GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION TO PAUSE AT ANY POINT: One common myth about career breaks for caregiving is that they only occur after maternity leave. In reality, for modern mothers, priorities are constantly shifting, and the demands of caregiving don’t fade as children grow older. Through countless conversations with the Mother Untitled community, I've discovered that career pauses or shifts often happen at key transition points—early motherhood, expanding to multiple children, relocations, new diagnoses, middle school changes, a partner’s career shift, mental health challenges for teens or parents, and even the stress of college applications. There’s no single moment when a parent might need or want to adjust their work—whether it’s to spend more time with their children, reduce household stress, or address financial concerns. The concept of the Power Pause is relevant at any stage of parenting. It’s not about how to parent, but how to strategically navigate a career shift in a way that minimizes the downsides and maximizes the opportunities.

When you refer The CARRY™ ALL to just ONE FRIEND, you’ll be eligible to win a $200 ABLE gift card EACH MONTH! The more friends you refer, the more entries you have to win! REMINDER: You can always use the code: CARRY for 30-40% off, too!

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