A few weeks after my second daughter was born, I laid on the playroom floor watching my toddler and my newborn. How on earth was I supposed to go back to work when my leave ended in just a few weeks?
My postpartum hormones were all over the place. One minute I was dreading the return. The next, the idea of having responsibilities beyond feeding, burping, and diaper changes didn't sound so bad. As my return-to-work date got closer, I did my best to weigh the pros and cons — while also managing postpartum anxiety.
I was not in a place to be making a potentially life-changing decision. No new parent is.
But if you're thinking about not going back to work when your parental leave ends, I understand completely. There are so many dimensions to this decision — emotional, logistical, relational. But since the financial piece is often the hardest to get clear on, here are five factors worth working through before you make the call.
1. The True Cost of Daycare
The cost of daycare is often the first number people run when they're weighing whether to go back to work — and it's a real one. In 2026, the national average cost of childcare is about $15,000 per year for one child in center-based daycare, with infant care averaging around $17,000 annually. In high-cost states, it's significantly more. Winnie
But here's the framing that often gets missed: daycare is not solely your expense to bear. If you have a partner, it should be calculated against both your incomes combined — not just yours.
The other side of the coin is real too. If you're not working, daycare isn't a line item. But staying home has its own costs — memberships, activities, social outings — that are worth budgeting for honestly. Isolation is real, and so is the need to invest in your own wellbeing while you're in it.
2. The Long-Term Cost of a Career Pause
Taking a career pause has become more common and more supported than it used to be. But going in without understanding the financial consequences is a mistake.
After a year or more out of the workforce, many women find it difficult to return at the same level of responsibility and compensation they left. This is true even for people who held director or management roles. Industries shift quickly — and what you knew two or three years ago may require significant updating.
A title demotion on the way back in often means a pay cut, too. The cost of daycare may be high, but the compounding cost of reduced lifetime earnings can be higher — especially when you factor in how that affects your retirement (more on that below).
This isn't a reason not to pause. It's a reason to go in with clear eyes.
3. The Cost of Health Insurance
If your family gets health insurance through your employer, losing that coverage is a significant financial variable.
In 2026, a family of four with parents aged 40 can expect to pay approximately $2,256 per month before any subsidies for marketplace coverage. Even with subsidies, that's a meaningful new expense if you've been relying on employer-sponsored coverage. Venteur
One cost people frequently miss: your employer may legally require you to repay the health insurance premiums they covered during your leave if you don't return to work. If your employer pays $700 a month toward your premium and you took five months of leave, you could be handed a bill for $3,500 the day you resign. Read the fine print of your leave policy before you make any decisions.
4. Social Security and Retirement
This is the section most people skip — and it's the one with the biggest long-term financial impact.
Your Social Security benefit at retirement is calculated based on your 35 highest-earning years. Women who step out of the workforce for caretaking duties may see reduced retirement benefits later on. Every year you're not working is a year that either adds a zero to that calculation or replaces a higher-earning year with a lower one. CNBC
There's also the retirement savings gap. Most people contribute a percentage of their income to a 401(k) or IRA. No income means no contributions. And because women tend to have children earlier in their careers, leaving the workforce means missing out on the years when compound growth has the most runway.
One more thing worth knowing: if you give up your career to support a partner's, and you separate 20 or 25 years later, you may not qualify for a portion of their Social Security benefit if your own contributions were too limited. Not to be alarmist — but know your numbers.
5. Workplace Benefits Beyond the Paycheck
Health insurance and a 401(k) match are obvious. But employer benefits often include things that are easy to take for granted until they're gone: wellness stipends, professional development access, paid leave for future children, life insurance, disability insurance.
And then there's the less tangible stuff — the structure of a workday, adult interaction, career trajectory, the sense of identity that comes from work outside the home. These are real, and they're worth naming.
Before you make any decision: read your employer's parental leave policy in full. Some employers require employees to repay paid parental leave benefits if they don't return to work for a minimum period after leave ends. Know what you're agreeing to before you resign.
Before You Decide: Know What You're Actually Entitled To
Here's something that changes this whole equation for a lot of parents: most people don't know how much paid leave they actually qualify for.
If you're considering quitting because you can't afford more time off — or because you think your leave is almost up — it's worth making sure you've accessed everything you're eligible for first. Paid state programs, federal protections, and employer benefits often stack in ways that aren't obvious, and thousands of parents leave weeks of paid leave on the table every year.
Before you quit, find out exactly what you qualify for.
Hello Bundle's free quiz takes a few minutes and shows you which paid leave programs apply to your situation, how long you can actually take, and how much you could get paid.
→ Take the free quiz at hello-bundle.com
You might have more time than you think.
The Bottom Line on Quitting Your Job After Maternity Leave
Most of this list makes the financial case for quitting look complicated — because it is. But I don't want you to reduce this entire decision to a spreadsheet.
How fulfilling your job is, whether you want to protect a career you've built, what you need to feel like yourself — those are all legitimate and important. This is a deeply personal decision, and there's no universally right answer.
My one piece of advice: don't decide on your worst day or your best day. Postpartum emotions are real. Give yourself the information, give yourself some time, and then make the call.
Frequently Asked Questions About Quitting Your Job After Maternity Leave
Is it common to quit your job after maternity leave?
It's more common than many people think. Many parents weigh this decision at the end of parental leave, particularly when faced with the cost of childcare, limited workplace flexibility, or a difficult postpartum transition. The decision is deeply personal and depends on financial, professional, and family factors.
Can you quit your job while on maternity leave?
Yes, you can resign while on maternity leave. However, before doing so, check your employer's parental leave policy carefully. Some employers require repayment of paid leave benefits or health insurance premiums if you don't return for a designated period after leave ends.
What happens to your health insurance if you quit after maternity leave?
If you leave employer-sponsored coverage, you'll need to find alternative insurance through a spouse or partner's plan or the ACA marketplace. In 2026, marketplace family coverage averages over $2,200 per month before subsidies, though income-based subsidies may significantly reduce that cost.
How does quitting after maternity leave affect Social Security?
Social Security benefits are calculated based on your 35 highest-earning years. Years out of the workforce either add zeros to that calculation or replace higher-earning years, which can meaningfully reduce your retirement benefit.
What should I do before deciding to quit after maternity leave?
Before making a final decision, make sure you know exactly how much paid leave you're still entitled to. Many parents don't realize how much they qualify for — and may have more time available than they think. Hello Bundle's free quiz shows you which programs apply to your situation and how long you can take.
