Imagine this: While you’re on maternity leave (or before/after it), you realize there is no way you can juggle work life and take care of your child. So you decide to resign. Only, you’re not sure how to write a resignation letter when quitting to be a stay at home mom.
Quick fact: Around 24% of American mothers choose to be stay-at-home moms.
If that’s your case, I’m here to help. I’ll tell you everything you need to know when writing and submitting that resignation letter. I’ll also give you some samples that you can follow. But first…
Why It’s Good to Be a Stay-At-Home Mom
Yes, some mothers say it’s a difficult decision to quit their jobs and take care of their new child. Others even regret quitting. More mothers say that being home alone with their children is a challenge unlike any other, both physically and mentally. However, many agree that they wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. And here’s why:
- You get to be there for each ‘firsts’. If you stay home with your newborn, you’re there for each new milestone. You’ll be there when they make their first laugh. You’ll be there when they say their first word. You’ll be there when they make their first step. You’ll be there on their first day of school. This is something that no parent wants to miss out on.
- You get to grow a stronger bond. If you’re the one taking care of your child day in and day out, then you’ll grow a great relationship while they’re still young. And that can carry on even in their pre-teens, teens, and adulthood. This bond is something you might not have time to work on if you’re always at work and always tired when you get home.
- You get to control their upbringing. It’s a sad fact that 17% of young children who spend their day away from their parents have behavior problems. A survey by Pew Research Center’s Social and Demographic Trends also showed that 60% of children are better off with one stay-at-home parent. If you’re their first teacher, then you will be the one to teach them what’s right and wrong. You’ll also be the one to prepare them for the world they are about to enter.
- You get to enjoy more free time. Balancing work life and motherhood is not going to be easy. It’ll feel like you can never rest. You’re giving 100% at work and you’ll have to give 100% to motherhood when you get home. But if you choose to focus on raising your children, then you can enjoy more free time for yourself and your family.
- You get to cut costs on child care. Here’s the thing – child care is not cheap. You’ll have to be willing to spend at least $18,000 for each child. That’s a big ask! But if you’re the one caring for your child, then you won’t need to spend a single penny on that. You’ll be able to save more for your child’s necessary needs and the bills.
- You get to experience emotional fulfillment. Mothers have a deep love for their children. And knowing that they are there for them in each stage of their lives will spring a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction unlike any other. So even though it’s hard, it will be extremely rewarding.
Read More: Will I Regret Quitting My Job to Be a Stay-At-Home Mom? The Pros and Cons
Resignation Letter When Quitting to Be a Stay at Home Mom Template
Alison Doyle, a job search and career expert, says:
“Quitting during maternity leave presents a logistical challenge. As you are not in the office, an in-person conversation may not be possible, and you may need to resign over email or send a printed letter. Even if you tell your boss through a phone call that you plan to resign, you will need to formalize your resignation with written communication.”
This means that, no matter what, you’ll have to submit a letter of resignation to your employer. If you have no idea how to tell your boss you’re quitting to be a stay at home mom, here is a template you can follow:
- Your details
- Salutation
- Body
- Complimentary closing
1. Your details
It’s always best to start with your details. This way, the manager or employer knows right away who is sending in the letter. If you want, you can add more details, so there’s no doubt about who you are. You can choose from either template:
[Your full name]
[Your address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Date]
OR
[Your full name]
[Your job title]
[Company name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
If you’re sending an email, you can add your details in the subject line. Something like ‘Resignation Letter – Your Name’ will do.
Read More: Stay at Home Mom to Working Mom Transition: Everything You Need to Know
2. Salutation
When addressing a resignation transition, you want to be respectful and formal. Don’t use terms like ‘Hi’, ‘Hey’, or ‘Hello’. Instead, it’s better to use the common salutation ‘Dear ___’ or ‘Dear Mr. Manager’ or something of the sort. This will show that you still respect the management even though you are about to resign.
3. Body
Here’s the thing – a resignation letter when quitting to be a stay at home mom can be as short as you like. You don’t need to give any explanation or reason why you’re resigning. The only necessary thing is the date of your last day.
However, you might want to end on good terms. This is why it’s a good idea to include these in your resignation letter…
Your official departure date from the company
Your first order of business is to inform the company when your last day of work will be. If you’re on maternity leave and you have an at-will employment contract, you can quit your job immediately. However, if you’re back from maternity leave and want to quit after, say, 3 weeks, you may have to submit a 2-week notice.
Of course, the 2-week notice will depend on your contract. Make sure you refer back to it or talk to the HR department about this to make the resignation as smooth as possible.
The explanation for your decision to resign
This section is NOT necessary. Someone from an online forum said this:
“As a hiring manager for MANY years – honestly your company doesn’t care ‘why’ you are leaving. You are leaving. A resignation letter is a ‘formality’ – it will go in your personnel file and that will be that.”
However, you might feel better to give a bit of explanation for your sudden exit. You can add a sentence or two about your decision to be a stay-at-home mom instead of a working mom. No need to go into detail. Chances are, your employer already has a good idea why you’re deciding to not return.
Any support you’re willing to provide during the transition
Again, this is not required. As an employee, you don’t owe the company anything when you decide to resign. But if you want to end on good terms, and maybe have the company provide you with a good reference if you ever return to work, it’s a good idea to offer any help you can.
Maybe you can add ‘I can train my replacement’, ‘I can help you find your replacement’, or something along those lines. Of course, this is only if you’re willing to do that.
A heartfelt appreciation for your manager and the company
If you’re feeling sad about leaving your job, now is the time to let your employer or manager know just how great working for the company was. You can show how much you appreciate everything they did for you and everything you learned there.
Let them know just how much you enjoyed working there. This is a good way to close your resignation letter and say goodbye to the company.
4. Complimentary closing
To end, you can add a complimentary closing such as ‘Sincerely’, ‘Best Regards’, ‘Respectfully’, and ‘Truly’, just to name a few. If you’re sending a letter, put your name AND signature under the complimentary closing. If you send an email, you can simply add your name below the closing.
Work-At-Home Mom Resignation Letter Sample
Here are a few resignation letter samples to use when writing a resignation letter to focus on family.
Sample 1:
[Your full name]
[Your job title]
[Company name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear Mr. ____,
I would like to inform you that I will be resigning from my position, effective [Date]. As you are aware, I welcomed my second child on [Date], and after careful consideration, I have decided not to return to work following my maternity leave. I intend to dedicate my time to caring for my children for the foreseeable future.
I appreciate your understanding in this matter. If there’s anything I can do to assist during this transition, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am accessible via [phone or email address] and would also be open to visiting the office for a day to facilitate the transfer of any contacts, emails, or information you may require. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Your signature] and/or [Your full name]
Sample 2:
[Your full name]
[Your address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Date]
Dear Ms. Manager,
I am writing to inform you that I will be resigning from my position at [Company], effective [Date]. I have truly appreciated my time here and thank the company for the opportunities and experiences.
Best Regards,
[Your signature] and/or [Your full name]
Sample 3:
[Your full name]
[Your address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
[Date]
Dear [Supervisor/Manager],
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing that I am going to resign as [Job title] at [Company] from [Date]. I made this decision so I could focus on caring for and raising my newborn child. Please accept my resignation.
If you need any assistance during this transition, I am willing to provide what I can. Let me know via [phone, email address] so I don’t inconvenience you or the company. Thank you for the great opportunities that you provided for me through the years. I appreciate what I learned there. I hope we can meet again soon.
Respectfully,
[Your signature] and/or [Your full name]
Sample 4:
[Your full name]
[Your job title]
[Company name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Dear [Supervisor/Manager],
I am writing to formally submit my resignation from my position at [Company], effective [last working day, typically two weeks from the date of the letter]. After careful consideration, I have decided to transition into a new role as a stay-at-home mom.
I want to express my gratitude for the support and opportunities provided during my time with [Company]. I have valued my experience here and am thankful for the relationships I’ve built. I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition and am willing to assist in any way possible during this period.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best Wishes,
[Your signature] and/or [Your full name]
Final Words
If you have no idea how to write a resignation letter when quitting to be a stay at home mom, you can follow the template and samples that I provided. This will give you a good idea of how to structure the perfect resignation letter.
Read More:
No Comments