In this episode of The Baby Playbook Podcast, Nikolina sits down with Caitlin Bath, founder and author of She’s Giving Wealth, for a powerful conversation about money, motherhood, and the identity shifts that can come with parental leave.
If you’ve ever wondered whether maternity leave is a financial setback, felt guilt about going back to work, or questioned what you really want during this season of life, this episode is for you.
Caitlin shares a refreshing way to think about maternity leave as a reset rather than a failure, and explains why traditional money advice often doesn’t account for the reality of unpaid care, career breaks, and the emotional load mothers carry.
Together, they unpack practical steps for preparing financially before leave — from building a leave buffer to calculating super shortfalls and having honest household conversations about income, childcare, and future planning.
Caitlin also introduces her “return on energy” framework, helping mothers decide what’s truly worth their time, energy, and attention when balancing work, family, and personal fulfillment.This is an empowering, honest, and deeply validating episode for any woman navigating maternity leave, return to work, or the question of what comes next.
Topics covered:
- How to prepare financially for maternity leave
- Why parental leave can be a reset, not a setback
- The importance of superannuation during care gaps
- How to talk to your partner about money and workload
- Using a “return on energy” lens for work decisions
- Reclaiming identity beyond productivity and work
Tune in for an encouraging conversation about building wealth, protecting your future, and staying connected to yourself through every season of motherhood.
In an exclusive for the podcast Caitlin has shared her Maternity Leave Super Calculator with us for FREE:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x4ZV8a7c0oRUu5giyGo0gUpduTAhXJD2/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=107594843193970711491&rtpof=true&sd=true
Links:
Follow Caitlin here: https://shesgivingwealth.com/
Follow Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh here: https://www.instagram.com/heynikolinak/?hl=en
Subscribe to the mailing list for more INFO: https://heynikolinak.co/
Join our private FB page to share and request advice from fellow parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1615190698987282
Grab a copy of My Mummy Loves Fudge (your favourite children’s book!): https://heynikolinak.co/b/mymummylovesfudge
