A Secret to Success as a Working Mom: Turn Burn Out Into Bliss and Embrace Joy

on
Last weekend my youngest was committed to going to the "Water Steps" a man-made water fall in Pittsburgh by the rivers. (Fun Fact: Three rivers converge in Pittsburgh--The Ohio River, The Monongahela River, and the Allegheny River.)  He kept asking. I knew he was serious when he said, "If you won't take me, I'll ask  daddy!" Given that it was highly unlikely that would happen on an unscheduled day, I relented. So, we went. It wasn’t planned in the way most things in my life are. No calendar block. No checklist. No “productive” purpose attached. And, so in some respects it was uncomfortable. And yet, it seemed necessary. It was the idea of my 8-year-old—offered with the kind of urgency only children possess when something is profoundly important to them.
0

Returning to Work After Maternity Leave Can Be Easier with Proper Planning

on
My kids on a Friday night


I coach working moms. One topic that I am often asked about is maternity leave--how to negotiate it, how to maximize it, and how to return from it. Recently a friend posted that she's returning to work on Monday after enjoying twelve weeks of maternity leave with her precious baby. I read her post after enjoying a cocktail and below is my response. 


The summary--leaving your baby is hard, harder than you could possible imagine. Still, even with all of the challenges, you should consider it all joy. You are blessed to have these struggles...

Facebook Advice for Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

For the record, I've been drinking. So, here's my unfiltered honesty about returning to work. The s--t is hard. However, you are harder. Your desire to be with your baby is strong. But you are stronger. Do whatever you need to do to feel OK with it. Take whatever liberties you can get away with to make it work for you and your family. Push when you need to push. Pause when you need to pause. And at the end of each day, consider it all joy! 
--

Comments

Post a Comment