I took a job paying less than half my previous salary after having children.

I'd been working in graphic design and marketing for 13 years. I had all this experience and a strong professional track record. And I had continued freelancing throughout both pregnancies.

But when I decided to return to an employed role when my son, Rudy, was 11 months old, I felt awkward about the break from an actual workplace and I applied for a junior role.

Now I know I have myself to blame here. My perception of the value I could offer had changed and I hadn't noticed. But also... nobody told me I was underselling myself.

As it turned out, the person who hired me left after a week and I was offered his job because my employer quickly realised what I was capable of.

Last week, the UK government published new research into pregnancy, maternity and workplace experiences. Among its findings were reduced career progression, missed promotions and diminished responsibilities for some parents returning to work. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pregnancy-and-maternity-workplace-experiences-of-parents

The report also highlighted how everyday workplace practices, rather than just overt discrimination, can gradually undermine careers.

Not every woman experiences a loss of professional confidence after having children. For some, motherhood brings greater clarity, ambition and purpose. Others deliberately choose a different relationship with work.

I wonder how many experienced women end up in positions that don't reflect their capabilities because their sense of professional identity has shifted. How much responsibility should employers take for recognising that?

I'd love to see more organisations provide more coaching and having more conversations about what someone brings back to a role, rather than what they might have missed while away. I wonder if I'd had coaching then, whether I would have even applied for that job.

Having children can change how we see ourselves. I believe we have a collective responsibility to help people returning to work recognise what they bring back with them.