Rethinking Work: Transitioning to a Postpartum Helper Thanks to My Son

Currently, I have two main jobs: a postpartum helper and an advertising model. To put it simply, a postpartum helper is someone who supports a mother after she gives birth and returns home. I mainly provide meal assistance, cleaning support, and baby care.

I have a 5-year-old child now, and when I reconsidered my work style, I wondered what would be the best fit for me right now. My child has a slight disability, and as I thought about what I could do to be helpful in raising a child with a disability, I thought that being a postpartum helper, supporting those who need the most help after giving birth, might be the best fit for me right now. As for the advertising model, I had connections from previously belonging to an entertainment agency, and when I wondered what I needed and what was being sought from me, I thought I could do it, given those connections. I started working on these two pillars because I thought both environments needed me.

For postpartum helper work, I support the concerns of mothers and fathers, so the requests vary. Some want help with baby care, while others want meals prepared because the mother needs to rest, or the father can't do it. Some request cleaning. After discussing, for baby care, I assist with bathing, feeding, changing diapers, playing, carrying, or putting the baby to sleep. For cleaning and meal support, I prepare meals or clean specific areas as requested.

I found it difficult to understand the extent of what was being asked of me. For example, if asked to clean the bathroom or washbasin, I wasn't sure if just the bathtub needed cleaning or if everything needed to be polished. When it comes to children, the expectations are very strict, and it's something that needs to be handled with care, so figuring out what was expected was very challenging.

Since my work involves handling babies, the baby's needs are the top priority. However, fathers and mothers are often sleep-deprived, and mothers may still be recovering hormonally and physically, so I try to listen to their concerns as much as possible. I ask if they're getting enough sleep, eating, or if they have any issues with the baby. I try to offer solutions when possible, but I also provide emotional support, encouraging them to keep going even though it might be the hardest time for them. I believe there are hidden needs in such situations. Many people may find it hard to express their inner feelings, but I think it's crucial to support those who are reaching their physical and mental limits. I was also greatly helped by my mother, husband, and others when I returned to my hometown, so I think it's important to support parents who may be far from their own parents or whose husbands are busy.

Entering someone else's home was initially a bit of a hurdle for both parties, I think. At first, that was a sticking point, but I've come to think that maybe I can be a bit more casual and that my mindset has changed. I don't want to be too formal because that might make the other person uncomfortable, so I think it's important to create a good atmosphere. After a year, I've noticed a change, though it's not really an improvement. I think I was very tense at first and probably quite stiff.

Visiting someone else's home was initially exciting for me. But more importantly, listening to the requests and hopes of the clients and then, in my own way, identifying the core of their concerns makes the work very interesting.

This applies to both of my jobs, but when I can't fully meet the requests or can't provide a 100% answer, it can be quite tough. It affects me mentally, and the mental strain can also take a physical toll. Sometimes, due to time constraints or personal reasons, I can't meet the requests, and not being able to fulfill them is what affects me the most mentally. To put it simply, if I'm asked to clean the garden, the living room, the kitchen, and the bathroom within 2 hours, and it's clearly beyond my capacity, I politely decline in advance but try to do as much as possible by asking for priorities and working within those.

There was a family where the mother had just given birth to her second child, and the eldest daughter, who is in elementary school, enjoyed the meal I made, saying it was like school lunch and very delicious. Hearing that from the father made me really happy. Since then, I've received requests, leading to the cheese hamburger I mentioned earlier. Next time, they want cream stew with salmon, even though it's summer. I find it adorable and it motivates me to do my best.

Honestly, I would be happier if I received a bit more, but I take pride in both of my jobs, so I hope that eventually aligns. But for now, I don't have any complaints about it. Regarding postpartum helper work, it's a very rewarding job, so I think the pay could be a bit higher.

Right now, I feel very fulfilled, both mentally and physically, with my work, and I think continuing it as is could also lead to career advancement. In the future, though I'm not sure if it will become a third pillar, my husband and I are discussing the possibility of creating an organization or some form of content provision for children with disabilities. The impetus for my advertising model and postpartum helper jobs came from my son, and raising a child with a disability is truly challenging, with few people who understand or can empathize. My husband and I are experimenting and trying various things, absorbing new knowledge and exploring worlds we've never encountered before. I'm really grateful to my son for that. In that regard, my husband and I are discussing the possibility of providing a place for mom and dad support or a unified content or community space. We haven't concretely decided yet, but we vaguely talk about running something in that direction.

It's really thanks to my son that my world has expanded, and both my husband and I are very grateful. There are convenience store clerks who are kind to my son, always bringing him his favorite orange juice and chicken without him asking, and construction workers who always give him a high-five in the morning. Without my son, I would never have crossed paths with these people. Sharing these experiences... Raising a child with a disability can make parents feel closed off from the world, so I think there's a need for a place where we can share experiences or information, or even physically meet and connect. Before having children, my husband and I had certain ideals, like wanting to go places once our child could walk, or for my husband, wanting to attend hero shows or go bug hunting since our child is a boy. With a child who has disabilities, some of these things are possible and some aren't, and at first, we felt a bit pessimistic, but now we see it as having opened up different routes and expanded our choices.

As someone who has changed careers multiple times and really thought about and revised my work style, I believe the first step is to confront yourself and figure out what you want to do, what you're essentially seeking, what you want, and what you can do. Then, of course, after carefully considering whether you can actually work those hours or if the conditions match, I think you should take action. Nothing progresses without action, so I think you should act and move forward.