Q: How did you decide when the right time was to return to work postpartum?
A: My experience going back to work this time was very different from my first. With my first child, I didn’t have much of a choice—it was more about when my maternity leave ended. But with this baby, the decision was out of my hands. At 13 weeks pregnant, I told my company I was expecting, and a week later, I was laid off. I spent my entire pregnancy stressing about finding another job that would support my family financially and provide health insurance.
Being laid off while pregnant, especially during an election year, made finding a new job incredibly difficult. Job opportunities were limited, and the uncertainty of the future made it even harder. After giving birth to my baby girl, I found myself in the hospital applying to jobs and scheduling interviews. An hour after I returned home from the hospital, I had an interview lined up that I had to attend.
After many interviews over a 6 month period, I finally found a job but my start date was only six weeks after having my daughter. I didn’t get to choose when the “right time” was for me to return to work; I just had to start during the next available training session.
Q: Did you feel like your workplace was understanding of your new role as a parent?
A: I am incredibly grateful to work for two companies that are extremely supportive of parents, particularly as a new mom to two young kids. Both jobs are remote, and they offer a lot of flexibility—one is full-time, and the other is part-time.
Being upfront about my needs was key. In my interviews, I made it clear that flexibility and understanding of my role as a working mother were non-negotiable. This honesty paid off, and it allowed me to secure not just one, but two positions that are supportive, flexible, and understanding of my new role as a parent.
Q: How did you juggle your responsibilities at work with your responsibilities at home?
A: The first few weeks were extremely difficult. I had just spent six months at home with my son while I was unemployed, so it was tough to go back to work and be away from my kids. At the same time, I was adjusting to a new job, which added to the pressure. It felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions.
But things started to change when I remembered something my boss used to emphasize—the importance of delegating tasks for your mental health. I realized that while it’s nice to have the newest gadgets or the best care, it was more important for me to prioritize things that would free up my time. I started investing in house cleaning services and paying my nanny more to handle simple tasks like grocery shopping and doing the kids' laundry. This allowed me to focus more on my work and my kids without stressing over everything else around the house.
Q: How did you find time for self-care while balancing both work and motherhood?
A: Finding time for self-care is still a work in progress, to be honest. I’ve learned that my workouts are often longer because I’m juggling a toddler and a 3-month-old. Sometimes, I incorporate my toddler into the workout—he’ll crawl all over me while I do push-ups, and honestly, it’s chaos, but it’s also a chance for us to be together and bond.
I’ve also come to realize just how important it is for my partner and me to carve out time for ourselves. We make sure to schedule weekly date nights, whether it’s a night out or just something simple at home after the kids go to bed. It’s essential for us to have that time together, just the two of us, to keep our relationship strong amidst all the chaos.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to a new mom about returning to work, what would it be?
A: My biggest piece of advice would be to be honest—with yourself, your employer, and those around you—about what you need and how you can be supported. This transition is really difficult, and it comes with a lot of mixed emotions, and that’s okay. You’ll figure out what works best for you over time, so be patient with yourself. You don’t have to have it all figured out right away. Give yourself grace and allow yourself the time and space to adjust.