It's working for Kristin Driscoll
Massachusetts
2 children
“I was so rigid in my thinking about my job and the childcare that would be required to continue doing my job, I didn’t consider that maybe I needed to think creatively about my work life.”
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
I wish I had opened myself to different work situations and scenarios. I was so rigid in my thinking about my job and the childcare that would be required to continue doing my job, I didn’t consider that maybe I needed to think creatively about my work life.
What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?
I shared the news at the end of the first trimester and sat down with my boss. I felt really nervous telling my news as I knew it would change so much with my work responsibilities and internal change that was ongoing at my company.
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
My plan was to take 5 months and that’s what I did. I returned full time to work and realized that I quickly had to make a plan for part-time work. At the end of that academic year, I transitioned to part-time work.
Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?
My amazing moms’ group that I met when my son was 2 weeks old.
Sadly, I had gestational diabetes so I think I online shopped instead of eating sweets!
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
As a working parent, I never expected that compartmentalizing my life would be so hard (i.e. turning off my work brain to leave to pick up my son) and having a day at work without a little one in tow would be so much easier!