The Power Pause

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

By: Neha Ruch

Narrated by: 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 reader plot a course for the long term, The Power Pause is an essential handbook for a new generation of caregivers.

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!!

A true “how to”

Found this audio to be helpful. I wish it came with the associated worksheets for the exercises discussed within so one could revisit. Well organized and researched!

Being heard as a Modern Mother

Amazingly written experience of the modern dilemma for mothers. Thank you for so eloquently sharing your experience for I was able to relate to many parts.

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.