It's working for Jane Black
Brooklyn, New York
1 child
“I wish very much that I had taken the full four months off. It was hard to go back to work so soon and not terribly productive because I was so tired and still settling in.”
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
That nothing will ever be the same again: my time, my priorities, my interests … my energy levels!
What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?
I was working for myself so that was easy. But I did have a fellowship and told them when I was about four months along.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
I went back to work part time at 8 weeks, full time at 4 months. I wish very much that I had taken the full four months off. It was hard to go back to work so soon and not terribly productive because I was so tired and still settling in.
Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?
My husband and my first “mommy friend.” Talking with someone who was going through the same thing and who could really empathize with the challenges and identity issues was a blessing.
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
I never expected being ambitious would be so hard and being productive would be so much easier!