It's working for Melinda Spigel
California
3 children
“After my 3rd, I had no choice but to go back because we had an extreme growth trajectory at Melinda Maria and I had design deadlines to meet!”
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
Relax – everything works out how it is supposed to – ENJOY TODAY!!
What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?
Well … I had extreme morning sickness (in my case 24 hours a day sickness) and I am not a quiet person when I get sick, so they “heard the news” without me telling them. Good times!
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
Well, with my first it took me almost a year because I got pregnant 3 months after my first was born and as you know from question 1, I get very sick, so I worked from home and really enjoyed being a mom. I had people running the day-to-day at work, so I was able to take that precious time with my first baby and enjoy becoming a Mommy. I loved every minute of it. After my second, it was 6 months and I was back in the office and with my 3rd I was working the day after from my hospital bed and was back in the office after 2 weeks! HA! After my 3rd, I had no choice but to go back because we had an extreme growth trajectory at Melinda Maria and I had design deadlines to meet!
Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?
My team – they physically needed me in the design room. But on the home side I have had the same nanny since my 1st son was born and she is like family. Without her I couldn’t go to work with the ease that my kids are being taken care of like I would take care of them. She is amazing.
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
I never expected to not feel guilty about working, but I realized after my kids came that we all need a break from each other sometimes and it makes it sweeter when we are together. I had guilt for the first few weeks going back to work, but know that my kids love their time with their nanny. She brings a different experience personally and culturally, that I would not bring, to enrich their lives. I love their relationship!