The Power Pause

How to Plan a Career Break After Kids—and Come Back Stronger Than Ever

De: Neha Ruch

Narrado por: Neha Ruch

INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

A paradigm-shifting guide to career breaks after kids that rebrands stay-at-home parenthood for a new generation of women and families.

"So, what do you do?"

When Neha Ruch had to answer this seemingly innocent question for the first time after leaving her corporate job to care for her infant son, she drew a shameful blank. She couldn’t find the words to describe this new stage of life she’d just embarked on. She wasn’t a 1950s June Cleaver type, nor was she one of today’s updated stereotypes. (Craft Project Mom? Exhausted-in-Sweatpants Mom?) How, then, was she to navigate this identity shift?

Frustrated, Ruch embarked on a mission to rebrand the stay-at-home mother for a new generation of women who don’t want to leave their ambition behind just because they decide to pause or change their careers post-kids. Her online community has become the leading voice and resource for women navigating this transition, and in her first book, The Power Pause, Ruch addresses all the questions women face at this inflection point: Can I afford to pause? Who am I without my career identity? How do I find meaning in the role? And can I ever transition back to paid work?

With expert advice and diverse stories of stay-at-home mothers who buck every stereotype, as well as interactive exercises to help the listener plot a course for the long term, The Power Pause is an essential handbook for a new generation of caregivers.

©2025 Neha Ruch (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

One of Oprah Daily’s 25 Best Self-Help Books for Personal Growth in 2025

"This book is a gift. Gender equality, strong families, and successful economic and social policy all require us to reframe how we think about work and family. The Power Pause helps show us how, in a how-to format that mothers will love."—Ann-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America and author of Unfinished Business

“Neha is a powerful advocate for an underrepresented yet enormous segment of the mom population…They need her voice and encouragement now more than ever.”—Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play

"The Power Pause reinforces that there's no one ‘right’ answer, instead giving mothers a more expansive way to think about ambition and family. Neha Ruch provides a clear guide to creating a rich, strategic family life so women can grow and thrive alongside their kids."—Dr. Aliza Pressman, New York Times bestselling author of The 5 Principles of Parenting

Inspiring, thought-provoking

I truly loved every minute of this audio book! Listening to (and taking notes on) Neha’s approach as I contemplate this move has been the extra push I needed to consider pausing as a true possibility for me and for our family. Not to mention how easy her voice is to listen to! Thank you!!

Súper útil

Me encantó escucharlo en esta etapa donde estoy por vivir un cambio total y enfocarme un tiempo a mi maternidad y buscar a mi tercer bebé

Relatable journey of balancing ambition and motherhood

Thank you for publishing this book right when I needed it most! I’ve worked in some capacity for 32 years and found myself evaluating a career pause to care for our household of three children (3, 5 & 8). This book has helped give me the confidence to own that decision and hopefully emerge stronger on the other side. I particularly enjoyed the tips and “homework” to keep me accountable.

Perfect timing!

This book came out during my extended maternity leave, and I’m so filled with ideas about how to move forward with work. I have a feeling I’m going to come back to this book again and again as I navigate the transition to more flexible work. I’m grateful to the author for sharing her story and the information presented here.

If you want anyone else to respect, honor and to value your choice to stay home, it begins with you.

This is a must gift book for any pregnant woman you know. It doesn’t matter if you choose to stay home or not, it’s a must read. I love that I can take aspects of the power pause and infuse it into my working life. I also love the part about funding 401k’s and how women need to prioritize their futures as well as their present day life. This book empowers mothers to go in eyes wide open and to value their contribution!🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Great read for SAHMs or those contemplating the transition!

I wish this book was available when I first entered stay at home motherhood. I read it as I am slowly transitioning back into part time work, and the past version of me as a mother in the ‘trenches’ of the beginning of being a SAHM felt so seen, and wished I could have heard this during that time! Either way, still so, so impactful. Love it! Recommended to anyone contemplating being a SAHM or newly one. You got this!

For Every 21st Century Mom and Those Who Came Before

This book presents highly valuable recognition, edification, and encouragement to the work of being a mom. I read it with the retrospection of my journey through motherhood that started in the late 80s and continues to this day as I watch my own children navigate work and family life. I appreciate the sound advice, counseling, and supporting research Neha Ruch brings to this conversation steeped in her and other women's experiences. I would highly recommend this book to any woman today.

Insightful - Practical - Simple Great

The pace was a bit monotone but the content is well worth it! Neha give some very helpful tips, advice and guidance in an empowering way. The book is thoughtful and truly very helpful! Gives guidance not only on career pause but also personal finance, friendship and self development. The book was much more than I expected

Very Disappointing

I had hoped this would be about pausing work and finding peace in that but its still making excuses as to why a pause is not ok or not enough for society