WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WISH YOU COULD OFFER YOUR FORMER, EXPECTANT SELF? 

I would love to offer the advice to truly savor the experience and awesomeness of my changing body. I’d also love to tell my former self to have done more research so I could be more proactive in my birth plan and speak up more for things I would like to try.

WHAT WAS YOUR PRIMARY MOTIVATION FOR DECIDING TO RETURN (OR NOT) TO WORK?

I LOVE my work. I find teaching yoga fills my heart and soul. I am a better mom when I take care of myself and do things that make me feel confident and happy. As much as I HATED being away from my babies….I would come home feeling really ready to only be with them. I also couldn’t completely give up working for myself at the time or else I’d have lost all of my clients/classes.

YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFULLY OPEN FOR OTHER MOTHERS, SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES AND SOMETIMES JUST A KNOWING GRIN.  WHAT ALLOWS YOU/DRIVES YOU TO BE SO PRESENT FOR YOUR MOMS?

OH, I just want to be as supportive as I can be and remind other moms that we are all in this together. I also know how challenging it can be as a mom and I want other moms to know it’s not always super easy for me, but it’s all so very rewarding.

HOW MUCH PARENTAL LEAVE DID YOU TAKE, AND HOW COMFORTABLE WERE YOU TAKING IT? HOW DID YOU STRUCTURE YOUR RETURN?

Well I was working for myself when both my first son and my twin boys were born so it was very hard. I am such a go-getter and wanted to see my clients and teach my classes almost right away. In retrospect, I really wish I had just chilled for much longer and cherished every moment with my boys. But, that being said, I have a flexible job where my hours aren’t crazy and I can actually be with my boys quite a bit, despite working full time. I feel very blessed.

HOW EASY WAS IT TO PUT A CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENT TOGETHER AND DID IT WORK FOR YOUR FAMILY?
It was a little hard to navigate at first. My mom came out to help so that was awesome. Then I found some really excellent nanny’s along the way. My current nanny is just like family to us all.

WHEN DID THE “NEW NORMAL” SET IN FOR YOU?

 I would say I’m still always finding a “new normal” to be honest. I think as moms, we are constantly adapting and pivoting. I remember a twin mom friend telling me “it doesn’t get easier; it just gets different.”

WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE GOING BACK TO WORK?

I think staying present where I am. When I’m at work, I miss my boys and when I’m home I’m doing work…I’d love to just be present in each separate place and give my full time attention to each. It’s tough!

WHAT PRO-TIPS DO YOU HAVE TO SHARE FOR OTHER MOMS?

Be kind to yourself. Do one thing a day for YOU. Take deep breaths. Involve your kids in what you’re doing. Delegate when you can. Stay positive. Take it one day at a time…one moment at a time. Find a career/job you love if at all possible. Remember your why.

YOU ARE SO NATURAL AT INCLUDING ALL ASPECTS OF YOUR MOTHERHOOD IN YOUR WORK. HOW DO YOUR BOYS LIKE BEING PART OF YOUR PELOTON LIFE?

OH my BOYS LOVE IT! They love PELOTON. They do my kids classes there. They think it’s so cool and so fun. They love to see me get strong, they say! They have a blast doing yoga with me. They spontaneously show me their yoga poses sometimes and it gives me such joy!

WHO WAS YOUR BIGGEST SOURCE OF SUPPORT IN RETURNING TO WORK?

Honestly I’d have to say Damarist Guadron. She is my incredibly supportive nanny who is also a mother of four. I remember when I was going through the hiring process someone said to me in “I hope you have a good nanny.” And honestly I am beyond blessed to say I have a GREAT nanny. She will come early, stay late and do what it takes to help out. I honestly can’t thank her enough for all she does. If my mom lived near (she’s all the way in Idaho) she would be here all day long as well. She does come a lot to help out when she can as well.

FILL IN THE BLANKS:
As a working parent, I never expected time management would be so hard and making sure my boys came first would be so much easier than I expected

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