It's working for Sophia K
Cincinnati, Ohio
3 children
"I think after some time it's easier to gain perspective and enjoy the positive things in each role; a break from kids is nice, using my intellect is rewarding, being a good role model for my kids in a job I enjoy is beneficial, and being able to leave that behind and focus on my kids with renewed energy is also good for everyone."
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
You will do the best you can! Try your best at each role and things will fit into place. There is no way to know what decision is best sometimes, but we have to make them all the time. It’s okay to feel up and down about leaving a baby, that is natural. Don’t forget, they grow up quickly and then concerns and questions will be totally new.
FOR MOMS: If you breastfed, was there a place for you to pump that met your needs and was conducive to your success? If you breastfed, how did you decide to continue? FOR DADS: What, if any, adjustments did you (or your workplace) make to your schedule after having a baby? Was it specific to your manager or larger, whole work culture?
Yes at times; my work situation has always been a bit different from the norm. After one child I stayed home for about 7 months, then I pumped at work. Second child I worked only part-time and pumped when at work. Worked from home with the third child and didn’t pump except a few times.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
First child, 3 months’ maternity leave, then I went back full time for 2 months, then went to part time for 1 month, then quit for about 5 more months or so until I found a new job. Second child, I had a full 16 weeks off. Third child only 12 weeks.
What was your biggest challenge going back to work?
Childcare.
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
I never thought about the difficulty in re-focusing on a job after maternity leave. Hard to get back into the swing of things, professionally. It’s also easy to worry and second-guess decisions.