It's working for Christopher P
New York, New York
1 child
"It was so hard to transition back to working full-time while focusing so much on my wife and daughter. What was I missing? When can I get home?"
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
I did not pay any attention to leave policies when applying for jobs. It was years before I got married and had a child, so it didn’t seem important then. I wish I had thought more long term.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
I took about three weeks leave. I would have taken more if it wasn’t unpaid. My employer was quite supportive, but had a tough leave policy.
What was your biggest challenge going back to work?
I couldn’t stop thinking about my daughter and wanting to get home to hold her and kiss that tiny, adorable head of hers. In some ways, it motivated me to finish my work in a very timely fashion, but it was challenging not to be occasionally distracted.