Books The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids--and Come Back Stronger Than Ever  by Neha Ruch (Author)

"The Power Pause: How to Plan a Career Break After Kids—And Come Back Stronger Than Ever" by Neha Ruch is a guide that redefines stay-at-home motherhood and career pauses for a new generation of women. The book emphasizes that taking intentional career breaks for family is a valid and powerful life chapter that can lead to personal growth and stronger future careers. Ruch offers emotional and practical guidance on navigating the identity shift that comes with pausing a career, encouraging mothers to embrace caregiving as valuable work and integrate elements of their professional identity into this new phase.

Key themes include building confidence and agency through self-compassion, rejecting the "supermom" myth, setting personal goals aligned with values, and celebrating small wins. The book also addresses the stigma and challenges around childcare and getting help, reframing childcare as an investment rather than a failure. It provides strategies for managing finances, maintaining skills, building support systems, and ultimately returning to paid work if desired. Through stories, expert insights, and interactive exercises,