It's working for Kristi Marsh, Savvy Women’s Alliance & Author of Little Changes
Boston, MA
3 children
"I never for once imagined that I would be doing the things I am today - it has been an incredible ride - from publishing a book, speaking across the country, being a voice in Washington D.C. and now launching a nonprofit. Constantly changing is my new norm."
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
My personal ongoing challenge is to ‘turn the switch off.’ Working from home – never ‘leaving’ the workplace – and living with smart devices means we are constantly ‘on’. It is almost as if this is a new survival skill, to shut the brain off and be present when the family is home.
What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?
When my kids were 7, 5, and 3, I discovered a breast cancer tumor. This was followed by three years of surgeries and chemotherapy. Following this, I went from a want to learn how I could rebuild my body, to a quest to share what I learned about reducing our exposures to harmful ingredients in everyday products. The result was founding a nonprofit, in order to reach out to ‘everyday-me’s’ to gently educate how they can have a tremendous impact in their own homes, through the Savvy Women’s Alliance. I had come into my purpose. It is a powerful feeling- and consuming – honestly, I tried to repress it for a while, being a young mom at the time, but ultimately, following my passion is deeply fulfilling and I am more balanced as a woman.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
I left the traditional workforce when I was pregnant. Yet, even to this day, 16 years later, there’s an internal nagging, – what I do isn’t ‘traditional’ and sometimes I feel like a square peg int our world. I have to recognize this is only within myself and reaffirm that I own my definition of life.
How easy was it to put a childcare arrangement together and did it work for your family?
One of the best perks of working at home is the modifying my schedule to the constant fluctuations in my kid’s activities. I love being there for them – even if I am just a shuttle driver. Our kids are really only ours till they are handed a set of keys, and they truly become independent then. It goes by so fast.
When did the “new normal” set in for you?
My new normal was a shift of being a super focused, goal-oriented with a direction woman, to one who is open to what the world offers to me. I never for once imagined that I would be doing the things I am today – it has been an incredible ride – from publishing a book, speaking across the country, being a voice in Washington D.C. and now launching a nonprofit. Constantly changing is my new norm.
What was your biggest challenge going back to work?
With everything I have been able to accomplish, I still receive a reception of what I do isn’t ‘real’. I run into an underlying judgment that I am not ’employed’ in the traditional sense. It’s a little baffling but I move on.
Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?
My mom, who happened to live in town. She was supportive and would babysit my kids through years of medical appointments and following years of travel. It’s is a blessing and I love the relationship they have with her.
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
I’m going to say the easier part — I love that my daughter has been by my side as I became an author, advocate for health and a nonprofit founder. She’s come down to Washington, D.C. to hear me speak, and assists often and I can see her finding her own strength and voice.
As a working parent, a bad day is when _____ and a good day is when _______.
As a working parent, a bad day is when I’m the bad cop (not my favorite parenting role!) and a good day is the simple joy of when we’re together.